There has never been a better time to get involved and play football, whatever your ability level. There are now more opportunities than ever to play football if you have a disability.

In our County we believe in flexible, inclusive, and accessible playing opportunities for everyone. We are committed to delivering and coordinating a range of football opportunities for players with a disability to access at various levels across the county. In Norfolk we have a number core of providers with disability football provision.

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation Disability Programme

Pan-Disability Soccer Skill Centre:

• The Nest (Children) – Norwich
  • When: Tuesdays 5 pm – 6 pm
  • Who: Ages 7 – 16 years
  • Cost: £1 per session

• Kirkley & Pakefield FC (Children) – Lowestoft
  • When: Wednesday 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
  • Who: Ages 7 – 16 years
  • Cost: £1 per session

• Carrow Park (Children) – Norwich 
  • When: Thursdays 6 – 7pm
  • Who: Ages 7 – 16 years
  • Cost: £1 per session

• Carrow Park (Adult) – Norwich
  • When: Thursdays 7 – 8pm
  • Who: Adults 16+
  • Cost: £1 per session

Their popular Pan-Disability Soccer Skill Centre gives participants the chance to play football against other players with differing impairments.

The Skill Centre is designed to improve footballing skills whilst boosting social skills such as self-esteem and confidence.

Pan-Disability Mini Kickers:

• The Nest – Norwich
  • When: Saturdays 10am – 11am
  • Who: Ages 4 – 6 years
  • Cost: £1 per session

Pan-Disability Mini Kickers offers an inclusive, supportive & welcoming environment, designed to develop a child’s ability, balance and coordination.

All children with additional needs are welcome. These might include autism, learning difficulties, Down’s syndrome, physical or mobility issues and sight or hearing impairment.

Down’s Syndrome:

• The Nest (Children and Adults) – Norwich
  • When: Saturday 10 – 11am
  • Who: Ages 7+
  • Cost: £1 per session

The Down’s Syndrome Soccer Skill Centre is designed to improve footballing skills whilst boosting social skills such as self-esteem and confidence.

The mixed-gender sessions are delivered on a weekly basis and are themed around all aspects of football.

Participants also have the opportunity to represent Norwich City FC in fixtures against other clubs and take part in national DS festivals.

CP, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired and Blind:

• Carrow Park (Children and Adults) – Norwich
  • When: Saturdays 10 – 11am
  • Who: Ages 7+ (for participants with Cerebral Palsy, who are blind, partially sighted or have a hearing impairment)
  • Cost: £1 per session.

The skill centre caters for both children and adults and gives participants the chance to play football against players with similar disabilities.

The sessions are designed to improve footballing skills whilst strengthening social skills such as self-esteem and confidence.

Representative Squads

Representing your local professional football club is an ambition for any footballer and we run Norwich City representative squads for the following groups:

• Adults Disability Player Development Centre
• CSF Down’s Syndrome team
• Norwich City Powerchair Football team
• Cerebral Palsy National team

Their disability representative squads enjoy tours and festivals alongside a programme of fixtures against representative teams from other Premier League/Football League clubs.

Recruitment for the representative squads takes place at CSF Disability Soccer Skill Centres where coaches will identify players and make recommendations.

Active Norfolk

All to Play For is a weekly socially inclusive drop-in football programme for men struggling with poor mental health, which has made a significant and positive impact on the lives of participants. It is open for anyone to join, and completely free. At each session, mental health professionals and local support services are present to offer assistance and guidance for those who want to access it. For anyone 18+. Below are the details of the sessions they offer…

• All to Play For (Norwich) – Adults (18+), Mondays @ Open Academy (8pm-9pm)
• All to Play For (Sheringham)- Adults (18+), Tuesdays @ Sheringham Recreation Ground (10am-11am)
• All to Play For (Kings Lynn) – Adults (18+), Tuesdays @ Alive Lynnsport (1pm-2pm)
• All to Play For (Wymondham)- Adults (18+), Tuesdays @ Ketts Park (1:30pm-2:30pm)
• All to Play For (Gt. Yarmouth) – Adults (18+), Wednesdays @ The Wellesley (10am-11am)
• All to Play For (Watton)- Adults (18+), Wednesdays @ Watton Sports Centre (10:30am-11:30am)
• All to Play For (Norwich) – Adults (18+), Wednesdays @ The FDC (1:30pm-2:30pm)
• All to Play For (Dereham)- Adults (18+), Wednesdays @ Northgate High School (4:30pm-5:30pm)
• All to Play For (Norwich) – Adults (18+), Thursdays @ GOALS (1:30pm-2:30pm)

Kings Lynn Community Football

Kings Lynn Community Football provide football provision for children and adults with a range of disabilities in the form of their Alive Ability Counts Football Club. This club allows individuals with a range of learning and physical disabilities the chance to socialise and keep active through a safe and friendly football programme, led by experienced FA qualified coaches. Below are the details of the sessions they offer…

• Alive Ability Counts (Football, Pan-Disability) – Children (ages 8-16) & Adults (16+), Saturdays (9am-10:30am) @ Lynnsport Leisure Park.
• Alive Ability Counts (Multisport, Pan-Disability) – Ages 5+, Thursdays (5pm-6pm) @ Lynnsport Leisure Park

Heacham Ability Counts Football Club

Heacham Ability Counts Football Club offer children and adults with various disabilities the opportunity to develop a range of skills through organised football sessions in the Kings Lynn region. Starting in 2020 they have now established a successful set up, utilising great facilities and FA qualified and DBS checked coaches. Below are the details of the sessions they offer...

• Ability Counts Club (Pan Disability) – All Ages, Fridays 7:30pm-9pm @ Heacham Football Club

If you, or somebody you know, would like to get involved in disability football within Norfolk in any manner, please contact Anoushka.Williamson@NorfolkFA.com for further information.