MFC Foundation’s PL Inclusion project provides opportunities for people across the Tees Valley that have a range of disabilities, including but not restricted to, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism and mental health.
MFC Foundation have been engaging people through disability provision since 2014, but recent funding from the Premier League and BT Sport Disability Fund has invigorated the project and as a result has allowed for an increase in the provision and support that this project offers. The PL and BT sport initiative is a three year programme that is designed to inspire and engage disabled people through sport across these four key programme areas:
- Sport
- Inclusion
- Engagement
- Events
Furthermore, this initiative has identified that disabled people are half as likely to participate in sports as able bodied people, and through MFC Foundations targeted delivery we aim to remove the barriers relating to opportunities and accessibility for disabled people to increase participation.
Key partnerships with local organisations such as Tees Valley Sport and North Riding County FA, among others, are crucial in the development of the project in achieving the strategic aims of community engagement, programme development and delivery, events, and training. This is also supported by the Tees Valley Disability Sports Forum that maps out disability sport in the region to identify current provision and opportunities for potential participants, as well as highlighting the need for new disability specific delivery in areas across the region.
Since September 2016, MFC Foundation’s PL Inclusion project is on course to engage 500+ disabled people within the year, in sport and physical activity, through numerous multi-sport and football specific sessions. This has been achieved through delivery and support at local schools, colleges, community groups and clubs, which has culminated in successful events such as festivals and tournaments that have highlighted and celebrated the success of everyone involved.
We currently run the following sessions during school times:
Acorn Centre
- Cerebral Palsy: Tuesday 4.45pm – 5.45pm
- Deaf & Hard of hearing: Tuesday 5.45pm – 6.45pm
Trinity Catholic College
- Cerebral Palsy: Thursday 5pm – 6pm
- Downs Syndrome: Thursday 6pm – 7pm
Contact Lee on lee.grace@mfcfoundation.co.uk or 01642 454816
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- Middlesbrough FC scholar helping a child
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- Group of young footballers pose for a photo
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- Disabled football team cheer at Riverside Stadium
