Tuesday 3 December is International Day for Disabled People. EFL clubs up and down the country, along with their Community Trusts, will be showcasing the impact they have in their local communities.

The programme covers a wide range of disabilities with the simple aim of getting more people involved in sport. Reds in the Community along with other EFL clubs run Every Player Counts programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of their local community.

EFL Trusts deliver activity covering a wide range of disability programmes including wheelchair football, football for visual impairment, learning difficulties, amputees and autism, giving many disabled people access to football for the first time.

Reds in the Community run weekly sessions every Wednesday with Women & Girls Development Officer Lynn Goodman.

Lynn said “Every Wednesday we have different participants from Dearne and Ravenfield Care home attend our Every Player Counts Programme and the session is aimed at educating the participants regarding healthy lifestyle and what effect exercise has on them. We love having them down here at the football club and deliver weekly sessions but also include them in match days which they love attending as most of them are big Barnsley fans”.

The weekly sessions popular with its participants who are always excited to visit Oakwell have seen the likes of Toby Tyke and Soap Bubble Artist Ray Bubbles surprise Every Player Counts participants

Collene from Havenfield Lodge praised the sessions “It Gives them confidence and helps them chat to other people in the community. They all like to come and they have all gained confidence, a lot of them like it because we see Barnsley Football players”.

Reds in the Community, in partnership with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, provide opportunities for disabled children, young people and adults to participate in sport.

The programme of activities provides participants with enjoyable and valuable sporting experiences away from their parents and carers. In turn, parents and carers benefit with a valuable break from caring.

In order to meet the needs of participants and carers, our activities vary in length from just a few hours to a full days provision.

The range of activities includes; Holiday Course, Saturday Coaching Club and After-School Multi-Sport sessions as well as competitive football fixtures in the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League involving neighbouring football club charities. All activities are delivered at Oakwell and within the community. These developments ensure Reds in the Community remains at the forefront of local disability sport.

If you think your child may be suitable for these sessions please contact BMBC Information Officer for Children/Young People with Disabilities on 0800 0345 340. 

For more stories like this from up and down the country, keep an eye on social media for the #EFLDayofDisabilities hashtag.