Waterford FC’s Autism project achieves runner-up placing in EFDN More than Football Awards
The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) recently announced a new winner of the More than Football Award at their Conference held at the impressive stadium of FC Leuven situated on the outskirts of Brussels.
While Bristol City Robin’s Foundation claimed the top prize for their highly impressive programme, there was widespread admiration for Waterford FC’s Autism Programme which provides life changing opportunities for a significant number of families and has shattered the barriers which prevented children with autism in Waterford from attending matches and playing football.
Given that Waterford FC’s Community programmes are operated by one full time officer, along with a small team of dedicated volunteers, to go head-to-head with Club Foundations such as Aberdeen, Salford City and Bristol City’s Robins Foundation which operates with 19 full time staff and a large team of volunteers, Waterford’s achievement is all the more impressive!
The development of an Autism Friendly Football programme is part of Waterford FC’s drive to make the club more inclusive and a significant contribution to making Waterford, the country’s first autism-friendly city. The programme began following a conversation between Waterford FC’s Head of Community, Colin Power and the parent of an autistic child where issues related to the child enjoying football were explained. Colin then embarked on a mission to use the vehicle of Waterford FC to address these problems.
In Colin’s excellent presentation to the EFDN Conference, he explained how he reached out to local and national autism service agencies as well a local social group for parents of children with autism, to fully understand how Waterford FC could facilitate a positive matchday experience and provide football participation opportunities for these children.
Firstly, smooth access to the stadium was enabled via a specially designated entrance followed by the creation of a dedicated space in the stadium (the “quiet room”) to accommodate children if they needed “time out” from the game. The innovative approach was enhanced by recruiting a team of club autism ambassadors who are always available to assist the children and parents when they attend a game at the RSC.
To date, 46 families have used the Autism Friendly Matchday Experience (AFME) facilitating 48 children, many attending football for the first time. The excitement of attending matches created a desire to play football among the children and Waterford FC has now set up a regular “Football Friends” initiative where 25 children with autism regularly play football in a safe, inclusive environment. Attendance figures at the Football Friends programme have surpassed 800 over the past year!
So, congratulations to all at Waterford FC for making magic happen for many local families by providing access to the beautiful game for their children for the first time. Without doubt, this is about More than Football.
