Summary
Autism Friendly Football allows young people on the spectrum to enjoy weekly football sessions at Pro Soccer Rouken glen, providing the opportunity to have fun, become more physically active, develop life skills and raise confidence/self-esteem. Sessions also provide a respite and social environment for parents/carers.
What Autism Friendly Football did
The Rangers Charity Foundation delivered 48 weekly football sessions for young people with Autism aged 5-16 . Sessions were based at Pro soccer Rouken glen every Wednesday night and split into 4 age groups. The project has been a consistent support method for many of our participants for several years and we continue to work with both the parents/Carers and young people to adapt and improve delivery to meet the needs of everyone involved.
Our team of 5 coaches who have all undergone specific autism training deliver the sessions. They create a fun and relaxed environment alongside adaptable structured activities that enables the participants to express themselves regardless of ability level or additional needs.
The majority of the young people involved don’t take part in mainstream sessions as often they are not able to support their additional needs due to lack of understanding and procedures to help them cope. This project is designed in order to create an atmosphere for the participants to develop their communication, build confidence, develop social skills, increase their physical activity levels and have fun.
The cares/parents also took a lot from the being part of the project. Along side watching their young people thrive in an environment that would often be challenging we ensured they had a variety of options on how they were able to take advantage of their break. This included fitness classes at the venue, a quiet café area to relax, access to a local shopping area just 5 minutes from the venue and the opportunity to socialise with other parents in similar circumstances to themselves.
The project continues to strive towards providing the best opportunities for the young people to play football at their level. We have worked hard to create positive pathways for young people who are able to transition into mainstream teams by upskilling local grassroots coaches via autism awareness training and linking participants to teams that have a better understanding of challenges that can come with autism. The link below is Sonny’s journey from our autism sessions to mainstream football and the impact it’s had on both him and his family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn4LcEVJNCc&t=3s
This pathway is not possible for everyone so we also have our oldest age group participate in Team United's Autism football league which allows our young people who are not able to transition to mainstream football the chance to play competitive matches against other autistic teams in a safe and friendly environment.
What Rangers Charity Foundation SCIO has learned
Throughout delivery of this project over the years there has been loads of leaning that we have used to adapt delivery to ensure we always meeting the needs of our participants.
Firstly “if you have met one person with autism, then you have met one person with autism.” There is such a wide spectrum, and everyone is very different, individuals have their own triggers and coping mechanisms. As part of our registration system for the project we ask parents/ carers about their young person what triggers they have, methods they use to claim them and anything else they can tell us to help support their young person. Parents know their young persons needs best so being able to tap into that knowledge and have open discussion helps to the coaches to adapt around individual needs.
When registered we also send out pictures of the venue, the changing facilities, the pitches, and the coaches, as often visuals of what to expect before arrival can go a long way to helping people with autism adapt to their surroundings.
Other areas we focus on are the venue, ensuring there is a quiet room that can be used if any of the young people get overwhelmed and need to take a break from the activity. Also having a location that can offer different forms or respite for the carers.
Although we have had some challenges with this year due to a few senior coaches moving on, we strive to have consistent staff leading the sessions, this allows the young people to form positive relationships and see the staff as role models
How Rangers Charity Foundation SCIO has benefitted from the funding
The support the Better Breaks has provided to the Rangers Charity Foundation over the years in terms of funding, networking opportunities and a knowledge of what makes projects successful has been invaluable. Without this incredible support we would be unable to offer this service and provide much needed activity and breaks for our young people and their families.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Autistic young people will be more physically active and better able to express themselves allowing carers to feel relaxed and less stressed.
Results
96% of parents/carers said that the project increased the amount of physical activity their young people took part in and 96% said that the the project had improved their young persons ability to communicate with other. It can be challenging for autistic young people to take part in mainstream sessions so without projects tailored to their needs they can often be excluded.
Case study
H (17) has been attending the project for around 5 years, he also took part in our team that plays in the autism football league, he is now transitioning to our new 16-24 Count Me In project for young people with learning disabilities. Dad D said " This is one of very, very few outlets available for H. The alternatives are virtually nil and it has got harder as he has got older and since COVID. He has met so many new friends from the football, the only place he really can outside school and family. Knowing the other boys have similar issues to each other makes H so much more comfortable communicating than with mainstream kids. Also the coaches and other parents go out their way to talk with him and include him. I was worried he was going to get too old but the news there is a 16-25 year old session now started has been a great relief. Watching H and the rest of the kids bond into a team and playing in the league and cup competitions has been fantastic."
Outcome
Young people with autism will take part a fun sporting activity and feel more confident in a social environment resulting in new friendships
Results
84% of parents/carers said that taking part in the project has improved their young person’s social circle. being in a fun and safe environment with other kids with similar needs allowed friendships to be formed that can go beyond just the sessions we offer.
Case study
J (9) has been attending for the last few years. Mum D said “ J has become more healthy and his social skills are coming on due to this fantastic club. He has managed to make friends for the first time that he looks forward to seeing every Wednesday. Whilst attending he has learned a lot of new skills and is continuing to grow in a more positive way. It has been lovely to see the impact that this has had with J it has changed his life.”
Outcome
Parent/Carers increase their social groups and support network with people in similar circumstances allowing them to share coping mechanisms and feel better supported
Results
92% of parents/Carers said they felt the project had help support them in their caring role. Interacting with other parents in similar circumstances has been a huge help for parents along with knowing their young person is in a safe environment.
Case study
J (6) started with us this year. Mum (L) said “ The coaches are all absolutely amazing. It is nice to be in an environment where I don’t need to worry about the coaches knowing how to deal with J as they all just do. Also allows me to interact with other parents in similar situations to myself who just get it. Being at mainstream sports other parents are not always accepting and encouraging whereas here everyone is encouraging of all kids.”