Newcastle United Foundation 'LEAD' the way for professional clubs
Newcastle United Foundation, part of Newcastle United Football Club has become the first professional club in the country to complete the national LEAD self-improvement programme with support from English Federation of Disability sport (EFDS).
Newcastle United Foundation prides itself on harnessing the local passion for football to make a difference. In recent months, the independent charity has been working closely with EFDS to complete the national LEAD self-improvement programme, to improve their delivery of football opportunities for disabled people in the local community.
The LEAD (Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery) initiative is aimed at increasing participation and tackling inequality by improving the way sport is planned, managed and delivered for disabled people. Feedback from the session will be used to implement an improvement plan across the Foundation's overall delivery programme of football for disabled children and adults.
The Foundation has currently engaged over 2,200 children, young people and adults through it's disability programme - which offers free learning disability, cerebral palsy, blind, visually impaired, deaf, Powerchair and amputee football sessions on a weekly basis.
The charity also works with 36 schools offering disability football provision and raising awareness of local football opportunities for disabled children and young people.
Reggie Dornan, Senior Football Development Officer commented:
“It was terrific to have full time staff, management, trustees and Newcastle United’s Head of Safeguarding, Equality and Welfare, Steve Swinyard attending the full day assessment. This enables us to give a full and comprehensive range of feedback from all Foundation projects with regard to our disability participants to EFDS. We are committed to being the best in the country in our delivery of our disability football programme.”
Tom Webster, EFDS North East Engagement Advisor said:
“Newcastle United Foundation is the first football club foundation who have undergone the LEAD (Leading Equitable Accessible Delivery) self-improvement process with the English Federation of Disability Sport. The Foundation already has an outstanding offer for disabled people in the North East, and the leadership and vision which they have shown will only enhance this. We're delighted that Newcastle United Foundation has come on board as an Associate Member of EFDS and look forward to supporting them further in the future."
