Every Player Counts: Breaking down barriers

The Every Player Counts programme formed in September 2016, has significantly changed the lives of people by providing those with a disability a pathway into sport.

Twenty five clubs run the Every Player Counts programme and Wigan Athletic Community Trust are one of those clubs that tailor the programme to the specific needs of their local community.

Wigan Athletic Community Trust have been able to deliver football sessions in the evening at Wigan Youth Zone, specifically targeted at young people with a learning disability.

Rick Read, a participant of the project who is on the Autistic Spectrum, first came into contact with the club at an after school club in West Lancashire. For him to integrate into society, it is a slow and planned process due to his vulnerability.

Ricky has been a regular attendee of the Every Player Counts sessions, playing football weekly and learning new skills in a club where he feels confident and safe.

Before Ricky was introduced to the sessions he informed the trust that all he would do is sit at home watch football or play football video games. He said: ”I didn’t want to go and play for a team because I was scared of being laughed at and being on the subs bench every week.”

Ever since the first week that Ricky attended the session, his confidence has grown massively. For the first few weeks he would only take part for 5 minutes at the end and it would be a challenge for him to walk on the pitch and participate. He would only access the session with the support of his Mum.

After he had made friends and got used to working with the coaches, he started enjoying his football in a relaxed environment and now arrives to sessions early and participates independently without support.

Ricky Read Case Study

Ricky’s Mum explained: ”The Every Player Counts project has helped Ricky to engage on a weekly basis in a sport he enjoys, building his confidence and self-esteem and reducing his anxiety levels. This involvement will ultimately lead to Ricky being able to participate within the Youth Zone as his confidence grows.”

Ricky’s targets now are to take part in wider Youth Zone sessions such as basketball, badminton and play in some competitive football matches against other Youth Zone teams.

To find out more about Wigan Athletic Community Trust visit – http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/community/

The landmark Every Player Counts project was made possible thanks to a 1.1m donation from the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST).

To find out more about Every Player counts visit – https://www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts