Swansea City AFC Foundation to launch football sessions for those with visual impairments
Swansea City AFC Foundation is set to launch bespoke football sessions for people in Swansea with visual impairments as they continue to expand their football provisions within the community.
The sessions will take place at Pure Football every Thursday from 4pm until 5pm and will cater for players aged eight to 18 of all abilities. The first session will take place on Thursday (February 23).
One of the pillars of the Foundation’s work is the commitment to providing safe, suitable and welcoming environments for all people to play football so, when Shaun Donovan, former captain of the Swansea VI football team, got in touch to explore the possibility of providing football sessions for young people with visual impairments, the Foundation quickly began to make arrangements.
With the support of Neath-based charity 360 Ability Sports - who have provided equipment - as well as members of the Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association, Swansea City Supporters’ Trust and the City and County of Swansea, the project has come together in time to launch the free weekly sessions later this week.
The project will provide opportunities for young people with sight loss to attend football sessions which retain the core principals of sighted football, but with some alterations – including playing indoors and using a specific ball which is both smaller and heavier - in order to make it accessible.
“Having access to an organised physical activity is vital, especially for youngsters with a visual impairment, it can do wonders for them mentally and physically,” explained Donovan.
“Unfortunately, since the original VI team ceased, which was very popular and successful, there have been no opportunities for young VI people to access football, but the enthusiasm behind the restart the sessions in the city has been very well received.
“To see how many people have taken the time out, by attending meetings is truly inspirational. To have the Foundation’s support means I felt like an honorary Swan.”
Steve Jones, chief executive of 360 Ability Sports added: “As a UK-registered charity that helps provide play and sport opportunities for those with disabilities in the UK and across the world, 360 Ability Sport is very pleased to partner with Swansea City AFC Foundation to facilitate the launch of weekly football sessions for young people with visual-impairments.
“We will follow with great interest how these sessions develop and will continue to support them in whatever way we can.”
The sessions will be overseen by the Foundation’s equality, diversity and inclusion lead, Graham Smith, who has had a busy few weeks with the introduction of disability football sessions to the Foundation’s programme earlier this year.
“We’re delighted to be able to launch these VI sessions in Swansea,” he said.
“The Foundation is always searching for ways to best use football and the Swansea City name to serve the community so when Shaun came to us to explain the real need for VI specific sessions in Swansea, of course we wanted to help.
“It all came together quite quickly but that was down to the support we had from a range of different organisations including the Supporters Trust, DSA,360 Ability Sport and Pure Football as well as our committed coaches in the Foundation.
“The sessions are open to football players who feel they would benefit and we’re really looking forward to getting started now.”