Waterford's Autism project nominated for More than Football Award 2024
Waterford FC’s Autism-Friendly inclusion project has been selected as one of the final 10 projects in the running for the European Football for Development Network’s “More than Football” Award 2024 powered by Musco Lighting.
The 10 club projects selected by the EFDN staff and EFDN Board members are seen as the more innovative among the Europe wide entry of Football & Social Responsibility projects and will proceed to the next round of selections to compete for the EFDN’s More Than Football Award 2024.
Projects will be shortlisted to a final four in September and Clubs reaching this stage will be required to present their projects to EFDN Conference delegates in Brussels in November 2024 who will then vote on the overall winner.
Waterford FC’s project has been selected alongside projects from such clubs as Aberdeen, Hearts, Werder Bremen and FC Groningen but their autism project is a powerful example of how a community focussed football club can encourage inclusion and change the lives of local people for the better.
The goal of the More than Football Award is to honour the best social initiatives in Europe delivered by a European club, league or FA by celebrating the work they do on and off the pitch on a local, national and international level.
The award winner will not only receive recognition for having implemented the most innovative and impactful Community and Social Responsibility programme in European football but will also win a complete branded floodlit modular Mini-Pitch System which will be developed in partnership between the winning club, the EFDN and sponsor Musco Lighting.
Waterford’s autism programme features two main initiatives: an autism friendly match day experience where appointed volunteer Club Ambassadors are on hand at all times to assist children and parents whenever they attend a game at the RSC.
They are greeted and welcomed by the ambassadors at a specially designated entrance point away from the hustle and bustle of the main crowd entrances and are taken to a reserved area in the main stand where they can enjoy the game.
Assistance is available to access refreshments or should any of the children wish to take a break from the game, a specially designed “quiet room” is available where parents can take them. This has been a game changer for families and children who can now attend a football match at the RSC with a greater degree of comfort.
The second initiative is centred on playing opportunities for children with autism and Waterford FC facilitates the weekly Football Friends programme where parents can bring their children to play in an inclusive, safe and secure environment at Ozier Park.
To date, participation in the Football Friends sessions has exceeded the 500 mark! These initiatives are at the forefront of a local campaign to promote Waterford as Ireland’s first autism-friendly city and Waterford FC are clearly playing their part.
Waterford FC’s Head of Community, Colin Power explained: “This is part of Waterford FC’s new initiative to make matchday more inclusive. Over the past year, we have worked closely with organisations such as 50 Shades of Exceptional, AsIAM (Ireland’s National Autism organisation), Autism Friendly Waterford, Mount Sion CBS , the National Learning Network Waterford and most importantly, the parents of kids and young adults with Autism to fully understand how to best facilitate a positive experience for our guests at Waterford FC”.
League of Ireland Football & Social Responsibility manager, Derek O’Neill has visited the programme in Waterford and was hugely impressed by the work being done by Club Staff and Volunteers to facilitate the children and families: “There’s no doubt that League of Ireland football clubs like Waterford FC who engage in meaningful community programmes such as these certainly become more relevant to more people locally and that can only be good for both the club and the people engaging with it. This is such a fantastic project and I’m delighted for Waterford that it is receiving international recognition. Hopefully, this innovative and inclusive initiative can continue to impress the judging panel and qualify for the short-list of the four most innovative projects in European Football and then, who knows.”
The final project short-listing takes place in September and the overall More than Football Award 2024 winner will be announced at the EFDN Conference in Brussels in November 2024.
Good luck Waterford FC!
#EFDN
#MoreThanFootball
