More youngsters with disabilities and special needs in Staffordshire are to have specialist soccer coaching thanks to an innovative scheme being launched by a community group.

Thanks to newly-secured funding, Whittington FC, near Lichfield, is kicking off plans to provide Queens Croft, Rocklands and Saxon Hill special schools with coaching for young people with a wide range of disabilities.

The scheme builds on work by club volunteers who provide free sessions once a month at King Edward’s Leisure Centre, in Lichfield, to encourage more youngsters with special needs to take part in activities.

Steve Kirk, who coaches the youngsters, says the funding secured last week by Councillor Matthew Ellis means the number of young people taking part can increase again.

“We are delighted that we can now get even more young people involved with our football coaching programmes.

“We’ve seen a genuine transformation with many of the youngsters who come along and whilst the football is great fun these activities offer far more that just taking part in sport.”

The £1,600 grant from Staffordshire County Council will be used to purchase specialist equipment such as wheelchair-friendly footballs and training cones as well as 36 hours of professional FA coaching at the schools and at the Whittington ground.

Councillor Ellis said the work the club are doing is exceptional,

“I watched one of the Whittington coaching sessions for young people with disabilities 18 months ago and was very impressed. The Local Members’ Initiative Scheme funding back then has been used wisely to make sure disability isn’t a barrier to sporting activities in our area.

“The club want to build on that proven success by widening participation further and I’m delighted to have secured some extra funding for them which will help that happen. It’s great to see able bodied youngsters understanding disability better by playing and coaching football with those who have special needs, and enjoying it so much together,” Councillor Ellis said.