SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY DEVELOPMENT
Scottish Football Association
Disability Club
Development Programme
Scotland United; Disability Inclusive Club
INTRODUCTION
In May 2009 the Scottish FA commissioned a full overview of Scottish Football conducted by
former first minister Henry McLeish. In April 2010 part one of the review was published with 53
recommendations relating to Football, Talent, Government, Facilities and Clubs.
Recommendation number 5 states:
“The Disability Football programme is an important part of the Scottish FA’s commitment to
encouraging those with disabilities/special needs - physical, sensory or learning or a mixture of
all three - to participate in football. It is important to note that no matter a person’s ability or
disability they can access the game across Scotland.
Programmes are being further developed to ensure that “barriers” to disability participation can
be overcome. The success of the approach is underpinned by the Coaching Footballers with
Disabilities certificate course.
It is hoped that the SFA’s Disability Football programme will continue to develop over the next
five years. The future of the programme will be shaped by the creation of a new 5-year disability
development plan in 2012, together with a winning bid for the 2010 European Championships.
There is no doubt about the importance of keeping the Scottish FA in the forefront of developing
football opportunities for those people with disabilities and maintaining international recognition
for this. Again, finance is a crucial part of success”
(Henry McLeish Review of Scottish Football Part 1)
Scotland United; Scottish Football’s Disability Future 2012-2017, is the plan that will shape
Football for Scotland Disabled population and will encourage players to reach their full potential.
The Scottish FA are committed to working with clubs to ensure the players with a Disability can
reach their potential and have the opportunity to be part of their local community and be part of a
local grassroots football club.
Thank you to your club and volunteers for committing to Disability Football and please do not
hesitate to contact the Scottish FA to assist in your club to fully develop and become Disability
Inclusive.
David McArdle
Scottish FA Disability Development Officer
[email protected]
0141 616 6077
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
2
SCOTLAND UNITED DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
The Scottish FA is fully committed to allow players with a disability to achieve their full potential
and enjoy football within a grassroots club environment. The Scottish FA understand that all
Disability footballers require differing levels of support and many of the players require
specialised coaching within a PAN Disability coaching sessions; however many players are able
to fulfil their potential within a mainstream grassroots club. The Scotland United Disability
Inclusive Club programme will work with grassroots clubs to ensure that coaches are fully aware
of the considerations required when working with players with a Disability.
Clubs will be required to be fully inclusive for players who suffer from:
 Hearing Impairment

Mild Cerebral Palsy

Mild Learning Disability
Clubs will also be issued with information that will allow to best signpost children with more
complex needs to opportunities out with a mainstream football environment.
The Scottish FA will fully support clubs in their progression to achieve this award and will
receive:
 Disability Awareness for key member of the club

Scotland United Disability Inclusive Club Certificate

Scotland United Disability Inclusive Club Badge (to be used within club advertising)

1 x Free place on Scottish FA Coaching Players with a Disability Course

Creation of Communication pathway between Club & Scottish FA Disability

Development Officer
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
SCOTLAND UNITED DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB CRITERIA
The “Scotland United Disability Inclusive Club” programme ensures that clubs are inclusive
to players with a Disability and are committed to allowing players the ability to reach their
full potential within a mainstream grassroots club environment.
Criteria
Completed
Club Sign up to Scottish FA Disability Inclusive
Club Charter
Key Members of the club (minimum 4) to
attend Disability Inclusive awareness training
(3 hours). This training can be attended by
further coaches from your club
Disability Inclusive Club Officer Appointed
Disability Inclusive Club Officer to attend
Coaching Players with a Disability Course
Club to advertise and promote local Disability
activity within Club Website
Further Potential Club Developments
Club to create a “PAN” Disability team within
club structure.
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
Criteria
Club must discuss this opportunity with
Scottish FA Disability Development Officer
4
SCOTLAND UNITED DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB CHARTER

Ensure the club is Disability Friendly

The club coaches will have the ability to adapt training and playing situations to
ensure disability footballers are able to reach their full potential within a mainstream
environment

Ensure club officials undertake training opportunities to ensure they are disability
aware

Club policies including Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety
should recognise and reflect the needs of disabled players

Players will be judged on their footballing abilities and not on their disability.

Establish a named Disability club officer who will be club point of contact for coaches and
players

The club are aware of various National and Local strategies for Disabled players

Have consistently high expectations of disabled footballers performance whatever of
their ability

Recognise disabled players as individuals

Understand the player pathways open to disabled players

Effectively signpost disabled players to relevant teams / activities outside a
mainstream environment that would best allow players to reach their full potential.

Ensure Disabled players conform to the same standards of discipline and behaviours
as the rest of their team

To ensure all children are given the opportunity to play within the 4 v 4 and 7 v 7
stage of football

The club will engage with Local and National Disability stakeholders to best support
disabled footballers within the club
Club Chairman Signature:
_____________________________________________________________
Scottish FA Disability
Development Officer Signature:
_______________________________________________________
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTION – DISABILITY INCLUSIVE OFFICER
Job Title: Disability Inclusive Officer
Responsible to: Club Committee
Skills and Attributes Required:
 Approachable with friendly manner

Good listener

Motivated

Prepared to pass on concerns to professional agencies when necessary

Enthusiastic

Awareness of needs to Disabled athletes (Desirable)
Main Duties:
1. Assist coaches who require support with players with a disability.
2. Offer advice and coaching ideas to coaches with players with a disability.
3. Understand the Disability player pathway for distinct Disabilities to best support
disabled players to fulfil their full potential.
4. Promote Scottish FA supported activities to Disabled players within the club.
5. Best signpost players to clubs that can best support and allow players to reach their full
potential.
6. Link with Scottish FA Disability Development Officer.
7. Ensure Club follow the Disability Inclusive Club Charter.
8. Update Club coaches of developments within Disability Football / Sport.
9. Engage with Local and National Disability stakeholders to best support disabled players.
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
6
SCOTLAND UNITED DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
APPLICATION FORM
Club Name
Club Chairman
Club Key Contact
Club Key Contact Number
Club Key Contact Email
Scottish FA Region
Scottish FA Quality Mark Award
Club Website
No of 4 v 4 Teams
No of 7 v 7 Teams
No of 11 v 11 Youth Teams
No of 11 v 11 Adult Teams
No of Girls Teams
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
No of Woman’s Teams
No of Registered Club Players
No of Club Coaches /
Administrators
Please return to:
David McArdle
Disability Development Officer
Hampden Park
Glasgow
G42 9AY
[email protected]
SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CLUB
8