Sport.Cardiff and Cardiff City Football Club (CCFC) have hosted a celebration day for the Every Player Counts disability football scheme.
The event took place at CCFC House of Sport and aimed to showcase the success of the programme.
Guests were invited to observe two impairment coaching sessions for Downs Syndrome and deaf teams before both players and guests were invited to watch the CCFC fixture against Barnsley.
During half-time, disability players entered the pitch before being introduced to the football crowd as new Cardiff City Players.
Representatives from Cardiff Council, The Football Pools, The Football League Trust, National Deaf Children Society and the Downs Syndrome Association were all invited to join the event and witness the success of the scheme.
Every Player Counts was launched by Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and The Football Pools in September 2010 with the aim to grow disability football provision across the region.
It is a leading project of The Football League Trust and supported by The Football Pools.
It will see Cardiff City FC Community Foundation in partnership with Sport Cardiff, Cardiff Council’s Sports Development Department, deliver a two-year, PAN-Disability scheme.
The programme is now in the process of launching a physical disability session for amputees and people with Cerebral Palsy.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Sunday’s event demonstrated just how successful this project has already been in increasing opportunities, provision and access to football for disabled players.
“Introducing these sports people as new Cardiff City players marks the achievements that the scheme has already displayed and I have no doubt that the programme will continue to grow and have a positive impact on other disabled footballers across Cardiff and South Wales.”
Gethin Jenkins, Cardiff City FC Chief Executive Officer said: “As a community focused club, Cardiff City FC are extremely proud to be part of the Make Every Player Count project.
“This project is an excellent example of the community driven initiatives we have been able to deliver through our partnership with Sport Cardiff. I would like to welcome our new players into the Cardiff City family and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Hayley Jarvis, from the National Deaf Children Society (NDCS) said: ”There has been a severe lack of football opportunities from grassroots to elite level for deaf children and young people in the past. “We are absolutely delighted that Cardiff City FC Community Foundation have signed up to the Deaf Friendly FC project. They are the first Welsh club to be involved and are providing weekly access to deaf football to 40 young deaf people, this is more than any other club involved in the project to date including Arsenal and Manchester United.”
