We recently became involved with the Kettering Multi-Disability Football Club and have sponsored the training tops used by the team. The club was set up in 2013 by Tracey Western as one of her sons has an Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD and there was nowhere he could go and play football.

The club caters for boys and girls over the aged of six. There are two squads – under 16 and 16 plus, so young adults can play too. The teams train every week at Tresham College in Kettering, with around 20 attendees regularly taking part, and compete in tournaments once a month. These are against other multi-disability football clubs from Northampton, Wellingborough, Raunds, Rushden and Corby.

The club provides a warm friendly atmosphere where everyone is accepted straightaway. Anyone over the age of six with a learning disability, physical disability or sensory difficulties is eligible to join. As well as providing fun, physical activity for its members, the club helps them to improve their football skills, fitness and hand/eye co-ordination. It also helps to improve communication, listening and social skills, as well as learning discipline and teamwork. Members can associate with different people and make new friends.

Founder and Organiser, Tracey Western commented: “The football club provides a real sense of community for everyone involved and it’s a place where each member is willingly accepted straightaway. Everyone has some type of disability so it’s really not a problem. It’s very satisfying to see all the benefits that these young people gain from the club and I’ve never had so much respect from children! They really appreciate it.”

Richardson Partnership for Care Maintenance Manager, Dexter Griffin, went along to a tournament recently with some service users from our homes. He presented the training tops to the Kettering team and it was a fun and inclusive event for everyone involved.

Kettering Multi-Disability Football Club requires ongoing support to fund the hire of its training facilities every week, so if you would like to support the team or become a member, please contact Tracey Western via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ketteringmfc