To mark the launch of The FA’s Disability Football Development Fund, which means a £75,000 investment for Cheshire FA, Graham Evans MP met England Blind team members Dan English and Lewis Skyers at a Disability Football Demonstration.
Graham Evans MP said: “The FA is committed to delivering football for everyone. That is why the organisation is investing £1.5m into the Disability Football Development Fund 2014 – 2017, which includes £75,000 for Cheshire FA. Through this funding The FA aims to gain more than 30,000 new participants with a disability in football and create almost 600 new disability football teams.
“It was great to meet Lewis and Dan and speak to staff from The FA about the organisation’s commitment to Disability Football. Disability Football is the nation’s most played disability team sport and with this investment The FA aims to grow the sport even further. This investment is a welcome boost for the sport and I am so pleased that investment like this will open up football as a recreation and profession to so many more people.
“The investment will be used to develop 27 projects across the country and will employ 17 Disability Officers to strategically manage the local provision. The remaining 10 projects will support existing provision delivered through professional football club community schemes, County Football Associations or third sector groups.”