Working with our NHS
In conjunction with the Pediatric Physiotherapy Unit of the local NHS Mental Health Trust, the Club offers specialist 1 hour football coaching sessions for children with autism and related challenges, from the age of 5 to 11. They take place on the main pitch at The Dave Bryant Stadium in Donkey Lane or the playing field next to the stadium on Thursdays 4.30-5.30pm. Sessions are in 3 blocks of 6 sessions throughout the year, costing £12 per block. The next sessions are from June 11th 2026 to July 16th 2026. A free taster session is available.
Please email the Pediatric Physiotherapy team at northmid.otgroups@nhs.net for further information.
Alfie Russell, our coach, has a marvelous empathy with the children with an emphasis, not only on developing skills, e.g. dribbling, passing and shooting, but having fun in a non-competitive environment, both from a playing and verbal prospective. It is so encouraging for the adults present to see their child improving their skills, develop a lovely relationship with the other children and witness the joy when their child scores a goal. Additionally the child’s physical development is considerably enhanced.
The following words sum up so eloquently and powerfully, the possible life changing value of all the sessions for the participants of all ages:-
“I am the father of a 13-year-old boy, John, with a progressive, degenerative, disease (Charcot Marie Tooth disease). The condition means John has issues with his peripheral nerves and will never command the fine and gross motor skills of his contemporaries. This does not stop him running around and trying his best, and he loves football. John attends mainstream school but his opportunities to play in a formal (team) or informal (playground) setting are negligible because of his condition, despite the best intentions of his school.
