'Our football club changed my family's life'

A father of three has spoken about how joining a pan-disability football team transformed the confidence of his two autistic sons.

Simon from Weston-super-Mare told the BBC's Extra Time programme the family had initially looked for a mainstream club for their oldest son, but it was clear it was not suitable.

However, from the first session at Weston Ability FC, Simon said his son was like a "whole different person", joining in and talking to new people. Within a year he became captain of the under 16s.

Simon said: "He thinks he's Messi or Ronaldo. It's fantastic how something like that can change for someone who was sitting indoors and happy to stay indoors."

Before finding football, Simon said his sons were extremely shy and wouldn't do anything without their parents. They also struggled more with crowds or big groups.

They tried a mainstream football club for their eldest, but Simon said the combination of lots of verbal instructions and meeting new people was too much.

"The pace was so fast compared to what he'd ever done before.... they would say what to do but then there was no visual representation," he said.

Previously the boys wouldn't have been interested in an activity outside of the house with anyone other than family members.

"They don't do gaming at all... drawing, watching a film or playing board games, or just being silly. But not anything to do with outside," Simon added.

At Weston Ability FC, it was a completely different experience: "You're coming in to a place that's safe and you can be your authentic self. You can run around with a ball in your hand for half an hour if you want."

It is a pan-disability team that is open to players with a range of needs, including mental health conditions, ADHD, Tourette's and cerebral palsy.

Simon said: "I think it's fantastic because there's no categorisation...They're all together and we're all trying to understand each other... learning how we talk, communicate, pass - all the simplest things."

"They're having fun, and that's the main thing, that's what Weston Ability try to provide. As long as you see the smiles on the faces, that's a good day," he added.

For Simon's family, the impact of being part of the club extends well beyond the pitch.

"The confidence, positivity, is massive. The schools have noticed it."

Before joining the club, Simon said his sons often found it a real struggle to leave the house to go to school, but that's all changed: "They're both looking forward to going in, talking about football or about their favourite clubs."

It's making their school work easier too: "You could say 'let's write a paragraph' for the English lesson, and guess what? We're going to write about football", Simon said. "Having this has just made that easier in a whole aspect of learning."

Simon is now a coach for the under 16s and the under 12s.

He would love to see more pan-disability-specific coaching qualifications available, and said he and the club share the goal of pushing that forward.

"It's being noticed, but nowhere near enough."

In future, Simon would love to make pan-disability coaching his full-time job. He currently works in a warehouse. Being part of the club has also benefitted his own mental health.

"Being able to help other players feel how my boys felt, and feel now... it's given me a new lease of life," he said.

Simon said the club has given him great support in his coaching: "They have really backed me and been there for me."

"I want to say thank you to all the parents and the players for being themselves. They are amazing and I'm privileged to know them."

"Weston Ability FC, without them, the family wouldn't be where we are now, definitely."

The FA said coach development is a key pillar of its latest strategy for disability football in England. It's recently carried out research to improve the learning experience for disability and para pathway coaches. The FA also offers various training resources and workshops on disability and inclusion.

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