Housing associations team up with the Irish Football Association (IFA) following the success of last year’s IFA Inclusion and Disability Football League.
The programme is set to return this year with 63 teams taking part in junior and senior leagues across Northern Ireland. The programme will also provide opportunities for participants, volunteers, coaches, referees, supporters and organisers to come together, helping to foster positive relationships and meaningful connections.
Through football, the initiative aims to promote inclusion, participation, good relations and community cohesion. The participating Housing Associations will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of the IFA Inclusion Programme, helping to ensure that football remains accessible to people of all abilities and that communities across Northern Ireland can benefit from the positive impact of sport.
The initiative was supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive's 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme. 'Housing for All' has its origins in the NI Executive's Together: Building a United Community Strategy, reflecting the Executive's commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Through this support, Apex, Arbour, Ark, Radius, Clanmil, Choice, Triangle, North Belfast and Woven partnered with the Irish FA Foundation to create opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds to participate in organised football activities across Northern Ireland.
Speaking about the programme Stephen Reynolds 'Housing for All' Manager, Housing Executive, “This is a wonderful example of the benefits of collaboration between the IFA, Community Relations Council, NI Housing Executive and partners across Housing Associations involved in the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. This IFA Inclusion Project will promote diversity, accessibility and community engagement, ensuring that people with a range of disabilities have the opportunity to compete in football. The programme will have positive impacts on health and wellbeing, cohesion and good relations not only for the footballers involved but also student referees, supporters and organisers.”
Parent from Grove Crusaders
“The programme has made the children feel included, part of a team and a chance to make friends with no judgement and a lot of understanding.”
Parent from Antrim/Newtownabbey
“Inclusion football brings people together who normally wouldn’t socialise. Through the support from the Housing Associations this made it all possible.”
Further information:
The Housing Executive - Welcome to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive website
The Housing Executive - Community Cohesion
The Housing Executive – Shared Housing
The Executive Office - Together: Building a United Community
