Football for All
Last Sunday I was down at Sundrive Park Astro football pitch which belongs to Lourdes Celtic FC. The Football for all session was getting under way. The session is run by Dyspraxia Ireland. I was truly moved to see how happy these kids were to be able to run around and kick the football, so moved that I will be signing up for the next FAI course with the aim of helping out.
Lourdes Celtic Dyspraxia Football Team
The training session are organised by Dyspraxia Ireland with the help of Lourdes Celtic FC coaches Jako Doyle,Valerie, Grace Jones, The Mates family, Pauline, Martin & their son Kyle
(I hope I haven’t forgot anyone). All of the above are also involved with coaching other teams at the club and give up even more time to help with the Football for all sessions. Kyle also plays for the U15s . The Football for all section caters for kids with various special needs, with Dyspraxia suffers being a major part of them.
The session is controlled by 3-4 coaches at anyone time and they work on all aspects of movement, touch, balance and coordination.
What is Dyspraxia?
Some children despite adequate teaching, a stimulating environment and with a generally normal intellect, have difficulty with movement and specific aspects of learning. Dyspraxia is a difficulty with thinking out, planning and carrying out sensory / motor tasks.
FAI – Football For All
The programmes aim is the delivery of football opportunities to people who may not
ordinarily get a chance to play the ‘beautiful game’. The Football Association was the first Sports Governing Body in Ireland to appoint a National Coordinator with this remit and the programme has been a huge success. Many agencies and groups recognise how football can contribute to the quality of life of so many thousands of Irish people.
The FAI now has two full-time Development officers with responsibility for facilitating a clear pathway to cater for players with various disabilities. The Football for All programme is made up of players from all groups and sporting bodies that cater for people with a disability who want to play football. At the moment we have 3,500 players participating in all of our programmes. The FAI recognises that some people or communities start from a disadvantaged position and may need assistance from the Association to access all opportunities that exist in football.
How Can I get involved?
To get involved with “Football for All” the first thing you need to do is vist the FAI site or click on this link to see when the next course is run. http://www.fai.ie/images/stories/Disability_Football_Workshop.pdf
Alternatively: If you are interested in attending any of the Disability Football Coaches Workshops you can email Oisin Jordan on oisin.jordan@fai.ie.
For more information on Dyspraxia you can visit the site http://www.dyspraxiaireland.com/ Lourdes Celtic FC Dyspraxia Football Team is sponsored by http://www.dbsportstours.ie/.
To contact Lourdes Celtic visit their site at http://lourdesceltic.com/
DB Sports Tours are organising a Manchester United and Liverpool Legends Golf Classic with all funds raised going towards Dyspraxia Ireland football Team trip to train at Manchester United training ground. Contact David@dbsportstours.ie for more information.
Keep up the amazing work guys!!!
