Bloomsbury Football celebrates the power of football on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Activities include an inclusive football session at Tottenham Hotspurs’ training ground, as well as mentoring and coaching from England Blind footballers

Tuesday 3rd December, London: In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd), London-based youth charity Bloomsbury Football is showcasing the transformative impact of their Disability Football Programme through multiple inspiring and accessible community football sessions for young people with disabilities.

The initiative provides blind and visually impaired young people with inclusive spaces to thrive both on and off the pitch, offering a supportive environment for young players to gain confidence, build friendships, and nurture a renewed love for the game.

Bloomsbury’s Disability Football Programme features weekly sessions for young people aged 7-16 across London and, to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, inspiring leaders including England Blind Footballers Owen Locke and Azeem Amir will be supporting the sessions and offering guidance to the young people in Bloomsbury’s network.

Furthermore, 37 blind or visually impaired young people will attend a dedicated Bloomsbury Football coaching session at Tottenham Hotspurs’ training ground, providing a fun and inclusive experience at the home of one the world’s most famous football clubs.

England Blind Football goalkeeper, Owen Locke commented: “Being a part of Bloomsbury Football’s Blind and Visually Impaired sessions is an inspiring and fulfilling experience. Bloomsbury Football helps create a sense of togetherness for young blind and visually impaired people and gives them a pathway to playing regular football, which they might not otherwise be able to access.” 

Founder and CEO of Bloomsbury Football, Charlie Hyman added: “This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we wanted to take a moment and celebrate the incredible young people we work with on our Disability Football Programme. This is about much more than providing a space to play the game they love, it’s about creating opportunities for young people to connect with others and feel supported as part of a community.”

Participants who benefit from Bloomsbury Football’s free football sessions include:

• Zac, 10 (participant): Suddenly losing his sight aged seven, Zac struggled to train with his friends, and it was no longer safe or enjoyable for him to play in his village team. The idea of playing in a team again is slowly becoming a reality thanks to Bloomsbury and their commitment to blind football.
• Ameen, 9 (participant): At a very young age Ameen lost his sight. Joining Bloomsbury’s Football sessions, his confidence and self-esteem has improved significantly. He felt a little hopeless beforehand, especially as his school friends aspired to be footballers. However, after meeting Owen & Azeem, Ameen can dream and aspire like every child should.

Since 2021, Bloomsbury Football has been committed to creating an engaging and inclusive environment in their Disability Football Programme, hosting events and sessions to combat isolation and access barriers around blind, visually impaired, and pan-disability football. With a higher ratio of coaches to players in these sessions, Bloomsbury Football ensures that all players feel supported and safe.

For further information on Bloomsbury Football, visit www.bloomsburyfootball.com.