Cornwall Launches First Disability Football Hub at St Austell Leisure Centre

New Sports Opportunity for Adults with Disabilities Starts This November

St Austell Leisure Centre will host Cornwall’s first Disability Football Hub, with the first session set to take place indoors on Wednesday, 20th November, from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Developed by the Cornwall Football Association (FA) in partnership with the Brandon Trust, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, this new opportunity aims to foster fun, exercise, and social connection for adults with disabilities.

A Unique Collaboration

The Disability Football Hub is made possible through a grant from The FA’s Journey to Inclusion fund. GLL, operating under the Better brand, manages St Austell and eight other leisure centres in Cornwall on behalf of Cornwall Council. The partnership with the Brandon Trust is a first for GLL, and the collaboration has drawn praise.

“This is a really exciting collaboration with not only the Cornwall FA, but with a new partner for GLL, the Brandon Trust,” said Karen Edmond, Community Sport Manager. “It’s a great opportunity for adults with learning and physical disabilities to have fun, exercise, and meet other people.”

Future Plans if Pilot Succeeds

The Disability Football Hub sessions will be held every Wednesday afternoon at St Austell, costing £3 per participant. The organisers are optimistic about expanding to additional locations.

“If this pilot is successful, we’re hoping to open similar hubs at our Bodmin and Liskeard centres,” added Karen.

Building on a Successful Bid

The effort behind creating the Disability Football Hub has already earned recognition within a short timeframe, thanks to the support from The FA’s Journey to Inclusion fund. Richard Pallot, Cornwall FA Football Services Manager, shared his thoughts on the journey so far.

“We worked hard to put together a bid for this fund, so to see that rewarded is incredibly satisfying,” said Richard. “Within less than 12 months, the partnership has achieved significant recognition, with a two-year grant being approved by The FA to fund the Disability Hubs. We’re committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project and look forward to welcoming participants.”

For further details on the Disability Football Hub, visit the Cornwall FA website or email Karen Edmond at karen.edmond@gll.org.