As part of the Kent FA’s £30,000 investment in grassroots coaching, announced in early February, dates have now been released for an FA Level 1 Award specifically targeted at candidates who have a disability.

The course is being run in partnership with the Prince’s Trust, a national charity aimed at supporting and empowering young people to give them the skills needed to help back into work, education and training.  The course will include impairment-specific mentoring and support for all disabled candidates.

The Kent FA’s £30,000 bursary scheme has two strands, with £50 off course fees for FA Level 1, FA Youth Module 1 and FA Youth Module 2 alongside a £75 bursary scheme for Level 2 coaches.  At least 10% of the FA Level 1, Youth Module 1 and Youth Module 2 places have been ringfenced for people with disabilities and the Kent FA can provide communications, access or other necessary support during courses.  The disabled coaches course will take place on the weekends of the 7^th and 14^th September 2013 at Kent FA’s Invicta House headquarters in Aylesford.

Sam Alderson and Michael Alderson, players at Sevenoaks Powerchair Football Club and FA Level 1 coaches, were at the bursary launch.

“It’s great that the Kent FA are supporting disabled coaches to get recognised qualifications.  The opportunities for disabled players have been growing for several years; it’s good to see that now opportunities for disabled coaches are there too.”

Interactive, advocates for disability sport in London and the South East, welcomed the news.  Alex Gibbons, Interim Chief Executive said “Interactive welcomes the introduction of Kent FA’s inclusive coaching bursary scheme.  This represents a commitment to the ideals of ‘Inclusive and Active 2’ and its’ aim of disability equality in sport.”

“By providing disabled coaches with the right support the scheme will remove a number of barriers faced by many, and help create a network of the most talented coaches, regardless of impairment.”

Kent FA have a strong commitment to football equality and have adopted Interactive’s Inclusive and Active 2 blueprint for best practice in disability sport, have an equality action group and are currently working towards Preliminary Standard in the Equality Standard for Sport.

For more details on the course or to book a place, email Development Officer Stephanie Gadd on [email protected]