Inclusive Football

Inclusive Football at LGC Eagles

A place to play, belong and thrive

At Letchworth Garden City Eagles, we believe football should be a game for everyone.

Our Inclusive Youth Football sessions take place every Friday evening and are designed for children who benefit from a more supportive, flexible and understanding football environment.

Whether your child is completely new to football or already loves the game, the focus is the same: helping them enjoy football, build confidence and feel part of a team.

Who are the sessions for?

We follow Hertfordshire FA guidance for pan-disability football, bringing together children with a wide range of needs who may find mainstream football environments challenging.

There is no expectation that a child has to arrive with a certain level of football experience or confidence.

Our coaches adapt activities to help each player take part in a way that works for them.

The aim is to create an environment where children can:

enjoy playing football without unnecessary pressure;
develop skills at their own pace;
build confidence and independence;
develop communication and social skills;
make friends and feel part of a team.

What happens at a session?

Sessions are positive, structured and flexible.

Players can expect a mixture of:

accessible football activities;
skill-building games;
small-sided matches;
teamwork and social interaction; and
patient, encouraging coaching.

It is still football — and we want players to develop — but enjoyment, participation and confidence come first.

A Neurodiversity-Aware Club

Letchworth Garden City Eagles has been certified by The Football Mental Health Alliance as a Neurodiversity Club, following completion of its Understanding Neurodiversity in Grassroots Football training programme.

“We want football to be a game for everyone. Understanding the challenges some players face helps us make small changes that can have a huge impact.

We adapt activities to suit individual needs so every child can participate meaningfully and feel proud of their progress. We want our players to grow in confidence, communication and independence, as well as develop their football skills.”

Jason Valentine – Inclusive Football Lead

Come and Give It a Try

For some children — and parents — joining a new football environment can feel like quite a big step.

So if you’re wondering whether our sessions might be right for your child, you don’t need to know the answer before you contact us.

Talk to us about your child, what they enjoy and anything that might help them feel comfortable. We can explain how the sessions work and help you decide whether you’d like to come along.