We’re taking the opportunity to highlight our sessions that take place in the Bournemouth and Poole areas which allowed for disabled individuals to play and enjoy the game in a safe environment.

Every week, our Community Sports Trust coaches over 100 individuals who have a disability, not only giving them an opportunity to train and play as part of the club, but also to watch the first team at Vitality Stadium at various points throughout the season.

More information about the sessions can be found below:

Impairment specific sessions

These are weekly advanced training sessions alongside other players with the same impairment. These are suitable for any player over the age of 16 with Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome or a hearing impairment. 

The sessions are split up into the three disabilities, so that individuals can play with those who have the same condition.

All sessions run on a Thursday between 7pm and 8pm and take place at The Bourne Academy. Places must be pre-booked and can be done by emailing [email protected].

Alex Cooper partakes in our Down’s Syndrome sessions and shared his thoughts with afcb.co.uk:

“Playing for AFC Bournemouth’s Down’s Syndrome team means so much to me. I get to learn lots of new skills and make friends too. I enjoy being part of a team and think we are getting better when we play matches. It helps with fitness too. I love being a part of AFC Bournemouth.”

Ethan Drewett from our hearing impaired sessions also commented: 

“Playing for the hearing impaired team lets me play and enjoy football with other young people with disabilities and helped me with my confidence. It makes me feel proud to be playing for AFC Bournemouth. My favourite part about the sessions are seeing the friends I have made since joining and just being able to play football.”

Finally, Harry Lake spoke about his experiences in the impairment specific sessions: 

“Taking part in football sessions helps me to use my skill in football. I enjoy playing in matches and to challenge my skills. In training I try to improve my ability to play with other players. This year I achieved a lot and work hard in playing football. Playing for AFC Bournemouth is my dream. What I enjoy the most about playing for AFC Bournemouth is making friends in my team and working together to play a good matches. My coaches are all very nice and easy to talk to.”

Ability Counts

These are weekly football sessions for any player over the age of five with any form of physical, learning or behaviour difficulty.

The sessions provide an opportunity for players to train and play competitive football or follow a recreational pathway. 

We have under-12 and under-16 teams that compete locally, sometimes even travelling further afield for tournaments.

There are also two senior teams that represent AFC Bournemouth and play fixtures in the official club kit!

Under-12 sessions take place at Littledown between 4pm and 5.30pm on Thursdays, while under-16 sessions are on Wednesdays at The Bourne Academy between 5.30pm and 6pm.

As for adults, their session takes place on a Monday between 5pm and 6pm at Slades Park 3G.

More information can be found by emailing [email protected].

Work in schools

Our community coaches are often present in schools, both main stream and those that specialise in educational needs and disabilities. 

They help run PE lessons and ensure education is always fun, teaching the children to enjoy exercise in a safe environment.

Additionally, the club provide volunteering opportunities through the Next Gen programme.

The Next Gen project works with local grassroots coaches and volunteers on community programmes. The project helps to up-skill these coaches and volunteers, whilst also offering opportunities to local grassroots teams.  

Some of the young individuals with learning difficulties start to volunteer with the Community Sports Trust as they get older.

Powerchair

The club launched its first Powerchair football team ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Before the pandemic, the side represented AFC Bournemouth in the Muscular Dystrophy UK National Championship, which saw them play six fixtures in Nottingham throughout the year, whilst training weekly within Dorset.

In addition to this, there was also a team entered in the South East League, which again met regularly throughout the season to play their fixtures.

The programme has resumed in recent weeks, with the South East League team in action over the weekend.

More information, about the Powerchair programme, can be sourced by emailing [email protected].

Adam Sevenoaks has been playing Powerchair football for AFC Bournemouth throughout its duration and absolutely loves his involvement with the Cherries:

“I love being able to play football like my friends and playing for AFC Bournemouth was a dream come true as it is the club that I support.”