DISABILITY PROGRAMME
3
disabled participants took additional qualifications
Chiwe (pan-disability football) Chelsea FC Foundation’s disability programme enables young people and adults with any disability to participate in regular, organised football matches and coaching sessions in a safe and enjoyable environment. Pan-disability teams for males and females of all abilities, aged from four years old to adult, enjoy professional football coaching and play in FArecognised leagues, cups and tournaments both domestically and abroad. One young person, Chiwe, attends the pan-disability sessions. Chiwe’s father, Emmanuel, spoke about how the sessions have helped Chiwe not only physically, but socially as well. ‘The sessions improve his overall engagements with people, it’s been very beneficial for Chiwe because he’s improved his football knowledge and skills. But the best thing for him really is he’s been able to engage with his peers. ‘He has had challenges building friendships, so the Foundation have built a peer group for him in a way he 14 | CFC
can engage with people who are around his age, have similar learning skills. The best thing is the inclusivity of the programme, it gives them an opportunity to express themselves and really understand that they can do so much more than what the world has limited them to.’
5,678 number of disabled participants Chelsea FC Foundation worked with
