Coaching a Neurodiverse Football Team

Coaching a neurodiverse football team is the most rewarding challenge I have ever faced. I currently coach Histon Hornets Inclusive Football Team. Histon Hornets Inclusive represents an exceptional group of athletes aged between 17-56, who all qualify to play inclusion football due to a physical or neurological disorder.

Within our team, we provide a fun safe space for anyone with a physical or neurological disability.

Coaching such a wide range of abilities can throw up some very unique challenges.
However we thrive on challenges and do our upmost to cater for everyone’s needs.

We have to be open-minded and adaptable in the way we teach players.

Some players may learn from words, others diagrams and some by watching and copying.

All players are encouraged to support each other no matter their ability or level of understanding and to work together as a team, something many may not have had the opportunity to be a part of in their lives outside of football.

People with a neurodiversity can sometimes not feel listened to or valued but we break down those perceptions and everyone is given an equal opportunity.

Being part of a football team gives our players the sense of a community, a friendship group they may struggle to find in any other environment.

Coaching a neurodiverse team means we have to work extra hard on our communication, supporting them with transport to access football and most importantly creating an environment they want to be a part of.

We have to adapt our sessions so nobody feels left out this can be done in many ways, one of which is to make sure we are led by what players want to do at any given time but to still provide structure and a teaching environment for them to grow.

As coaches we pride ourselves on getting to know each individual both on and off the pitch and check in with them about other issues and challenges they may have going on in their lives and by doing this we build up a trust with them which is key.

Many with a neurodiversity are open and honest people and say it how they see it and we have to take their feedback on board without taking it to heart and listen to their needs.

With over 20 players associated to our team a lot of football can be a balancing act but the reward we get after a day of football is seeing the smiles on their faces and the positive outlook on life.

“To our players we are not just a team we are a family,

A rather unconventional family but it works.

Everyone supports each other and some will have made friends for life.”