News
Places Available On Autism Friendly Football Programme
Wed 5th July 2023
The Foundation’s Autism Friendly Football programme now has spaces available.
The free sessions are
available for children and teenagers who are on the autistic spectrum and are delivered by our specially trained coaches so that the game we all love is open to those who might not otherwise be able to or want to take part in mainstream football.
The weekly sessions take place are run at Pro Soccer Newton Mearns at Rouken Glen Park on Wednesdays at 6pm for 5 to 9 year-olds and 7pm for 10 to 16 year-olds.
The joy that these sessions bring to both participants and their parents is clear. One parent said:
“The project has been a huge benefit to myself as a parent as it has given me the chance to watch my son take part in a sport that makes him very happy.
“Being able to interact with other parents/carers who have similar children is a huge benefit also. I’d like to say that the coaches who run these sessions are absolutely brilliant and have such a great level of patience and understanding with the children.
“It has been amazing to see how happy and excited he is every Wednesday when he knows he has his football training and has helped bring us closer together.”
Last season 143 carers and 88 children/young people benefitted from the project.
Another parent whose child participates in the programme said:
“My daughter is much more sociable and chattier since taking part in the project as she is not worried about her peers not understanding her or bullying her due to her autism since everyone at the football sessions has similar difficulties.
“The coaches have built an excellent relationship with my daughter who is happy to chat away to them every week.”
For more information, or to register a child, email rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk.
The Rangers Charity Foundation would like to thank Better Breaks for their funding support.
