Sports scheme in League of its own!
BT and the Premier League have committed to a three-year programme to inspire thousands of disabled people through sport.
Players from Newcastle United Foundation’s Frame Football Club and staff from BT’s Newcastle contact centre met United’s Yoan Gouffran and Vurnon Anita at the club’s training ground at Benwell to launch the venture.
The Foundation engages, motivates and inspires more than 1,300 children and adults to participate in disability football clubs every year.
This new partnership aims to inspire even more disabled people to become active as well as encouraging them to develop new skills and confidence.
The new funding will mean the Foundation can employ dedicated staff to work with disabled children and adults and work with hundreds of disabled children in the region’s 40 special educational needs schools.
It will also be able to maintain eight popular children’s disability coaching centres and nine centres for adult players with a disability - and set up three new children’s coaching centres and five new adult coaching centres.
The Foundation will also be able to stage 12 festivals, tournaments and competitions every year.
Staff will work closely with local agencies to building on existing work and develop new partnerships, which will encourage more disabled people into football or sport.
The Premier League and BT disability programme will also offer pathways for players into opportunities such as volunteering, training, apprenticeships and employment.
Kate Bradley, head of the Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have this incredible support from BT and the Premier League.
“We have provided opportunities for disabled players since 2009 but this grant means we can expand our offer and reach even more children and adults.
“Above all it means we can ensure local disabled people can access the sport or physical activity of their choice, inspire them to be more active and encourage them to develop the skills and confidence needed to realise their potential.”
Anita added: “It was great to meet so many young footballers and to hear about the plans the Foundation has for this funding.
“It will make such a difference and we cannot wait to hear how the players involved develop.”
Farooq Hakim, chairman of BT’s North East regional board, said: “This is a fantastic initiative to support.
“The work undertaken by the Foundation undoubtedly changes lives and I hope this fund will enable them to reach out to even more people across our region.”
THE Foundation runs adult disability football sessions across the region.
For more details of venues and times contact Mark Daglish at Mark.Daglish@nufc.co.uk or ring 07850 116 172.