Urgent call for players to join inclusive NI football camp before it's cancelled
The summer camp won't go ahead if it cannot get enough children to take part
There has been an urgent call for young players to join an inclusive football camp in Co Antrim this summer before it is cancelled
The Football For All Summer Camp at Crewe United FC has been organised to give children with disabilities the opportunity to come together, make new friends and play football, however there is yet to be anyone to sign up for the camp.
If it is going to go ahead then participants will need to sign up by Friday, August 2, or its funding will be withdrawn.
Read more: New £8 million boost announced for sport in Northern Ireland
Read more: Co Down family overwhelmed by generosity that's given disabled son "new lease of life"
Ann-Marie O'Neill, from Crewe United who has organised the summer camp said that she hopes that the places will be filled up and that if it proves to be successful it could lead to further football for all events in the future.
She said: "For the past 18 months I have been working to get some sort of inclusive football sessions for children here at Crewe and was very excited when we were given this opportunity by the IFA to put on a summer camp for children with disabilities and additional needs.
"I am a parent of a child with complex needs and I know how important inclusive activities like this can be and I am really hoping that we can get the numbers that we need for the camp to still go ahead.
"It has been disheartening that nobody has signed up yet, but I know there are children and families out there who would love to take part that just don't know about it.
"Our aim is to show the need and demand there is out there for inclusive football at Crewe so that we can provide more football sessions and help more children get involved in football that may not otherwise get the chance.
"Crewe United FC have been building their Academy and now have several hundred kids, aged 4 up to 14. They have been building their girls teams recently and the club have also been extending their teams to include a ‘Mothers and Others’ and a social over 35’s team for men.
"We would love to make the club accessible to everyone and build an accessible team for children with disabilities too."
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.