The funding has been granted by The New Football Pools and leagues have been established to give adults with disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues the same opportunities that mainstream football players get which is regular competitive football for their local clubs or organisations, much like the entire Ability Counts project works to achieve.

 

As well as the formation of the leagues, the funding also allows for each team competing in these leagues to access weekly coaching sessions delivered by FA qualified Ipswich Town Community Trust coaches.

The first round of matches for the Adult Mental Health League took place on Wednesday 3^rd March at Portman Road with Parham (from St Clements Hospital, Ipswich) Body Matters (also from St Clements Hospital), SAM Project (from CSV Media) and Ipswich Town Disabled Football Club. The day was a big success with really positive feedback from all involved.

The County wide Disability League fixtures took place on Saturday 6^th March 2010 at Portman Road, Ipswich. With another four teams taking part in the day including Kirkley and Pakefield, Bury Town, Cornard Dynamos and Ipswich Town Disabled Football Club.

Both leagues consisted of every team playing each other twice in seven-aside matches. With the overall results recorded in a league format and a view to deliver one match festival a month up until July. 

We are hoping to have more teams involved in the next festival event planned for both the Adult’s Disability and Mental Health League in the middle of April at Portman Road.

For further information on the leagues or the Ability Counts project please contact Tom Nicholas 01473 400897 or e-mail tom.nicholas@itfc.co.uk.

 

 

March 2010