For Linthwaite FC, this month marks a year of delivering pan disability football for the community in Colne Valley & the surrounding area.

The club host playing opportunities for people with additional needs at their home at Colne Valley High School; an FA Comets session for 5-11 year olds and an FA Just Play centre for adults aged 16+.

“Our main focus for both these sessions is fun, enjoyment & creating a safe environment where they can express themselves.” Says club Secretary, James Carter.

“Since taking on the role of Club Secretary in 2021, my main focus was to bring Linthwaite Football Club back to Linthwaite. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes since then, however, at the beginning of last season I could see the light at the end of a tunnel with a Planning Application that I had been helping with for over 18 months. Thankfully, the application was granted. This was huge for the club as it meant, we could start to set solid foundations to fully ensure football is available to everyone in the community. One of our current pan-disability players & helper, would regularly be up at these facilities every night. I would speak with him almost every day, he informed me that he used to play, however, there are currently no teams in the local area offering pan-disability sessions. This is where our story began & I have a lot to thank Paul for.”

The club have built a core group of over 30 players regularly attending the Comets and Just Play sessions, which take place on a Friday evening at the school. The sessions have been made possible through the hard work and dedication of the volunteers at the club, in addition to accessing funding to support new disability provision through The FA and Sport England. The school have been a great support in making the sessions successful ensuring players always feel safe and welcome, due in part to their fantastic staff.

Success stories include junior players joining mainstream teams, ensuring that players with additional needs have a choice of playing opportunities at the club either within the disability pathway or mainstream pathway. The Adult sessions have also provided opportunities for participants to support in coaching roles, shadowing other coaches and leading sessions with their peers.

“The opportunities that this has opened up for our young players is life changing.” Said James Carter, Club Secretary. “The feeling you walk away with each week, after the sessions is like no other. All the coaches get together at the end of the sessions & the smiles on our faces & positivity is absolutely priceless.”

The transformation in the participants is absolutely incredible, players who were anxious to even enter the field in their first week, have gone on to make new friends and have developed a confidence in interacting with team mates. The impact isn’t just limited to the players, the sessions also provide the opportunity for families to socialise with other parents of children with additional needs. Allowing them to take a step back and see their children laughing and smiling and through football. Parents are also encouraged to get involved and support the sessions too, if they’re feeling a bit more hands on, with a  number of parents donning their boots to support the sessions.

Future plans for the club’s disability pathway, include entering teams into the West Riding Ability Counts League and even looking into impairment specific provision. This will be underpinned by recruiting additional volunteers to join the existing workforce who are making a real difference in the Colne Valley area.

Football Development Officer, Tom Dent said: “The pan disability sessions at Linthwaite have gone from strength to strength in the year that they’ve been up and running and it’s absolutely fantastic to see! This is testament to the hard work and dedication that James and the team of volunteers have put into set up and run both, the Comets and Just Play programmes. The way the team of volunteers engage both parents and players throughout is heart-warming and really contributes to the success of the sessions. The players all have smiles on their faces, the parents are sharing positive comments from the sidelines. It’s brilliant!” 

If you want to get involved at Linthwaite, you can visit their website here, complete their contact sign up form here or contact James on secretary@linthwaitefootballclub.co.uk.

For more information on disability football, including Comets and Just Play, get in touch with Tom Dent on tom.dent@westridingfa.com or to find your nearest opportunity search Find Football.