How can we ensure our club and individual Teams are Inclusive?

INCLUDE

I – Individual - Coach the person in front of you.

  • Meet the person where they are and go from there. What do they need to succeed?
  • If you’re not sure- ask the player, ask the parent or reach out to the Healthy Club Officer for support.
  • The individual’s needs may be best served in a fully integrated team or a fully segregated session. It will often change, so we just need to be flexible.

N – No Fail

  • Do not be afraid of things going wrong in a session, there are no failed sessions, just lessons to learn.
  • You may not get it right the first time, but stick with it and rewards will come. Record what you have learned and share it with others, especially the group behind you.

C – Communication:

  • It requires a constant conversion between parents and coaches.
  • Parents are often the best person to educate the coaches, they may or may not coach their own child.
  • It involves different modes of communication – white boards, verbal, visual, physically mapping out positions.
  • If you are not sure what to do, ask the player or parent what they want and think.

C – Competition:

  • It is important, but it is not everything.
  • End each session or matches with a smile.
  • Find a way to building confidence.

L – Local 

  • Local friendships are really important. This is especially when children with disabilities are often transported out of their own community for education. Do not underestimate what you are doing, it is so much more than sport.

U – Universal 

  • Include everyone – in training session, matches, away trips, significant Club events, award ceremonies.
  • Same training session, management structure & expectations.
  • As coaches, advocate for players and educate opposing teams and referees if you have a player with a disability.
  • Inclusive camps – SNA and experienced coaches support at our camps, ensures that children can enjoy camps with their peers and siblings.
  • Sensory friendly Santa – each year we convert the paddock or Function Room into a sensory friendly grotto, to ensure families can visit Santa together.

D – Development 

FORMAL Learning:

  • We have and can organise Disability Awareness Courses with Cara and DLR Sports Partnership, with specific training – Autism in sport, Lámh for Sport.
  • Disability Inclusion is part of TY coach and foundation training courses.

INFORMAL Coach learning:

  • Parents modelling coaching styles for other coaches.
  • Sharing success stories and struggles from other coaches.
  • Learning for other coaches who have experience – such as special education teachers, SNA, OT’s.

E – Events 

When planning one-off events, please consider the needs of those players and spectators with a disability.

Consider things like:

  • Accessibility to the grounds and clubhouse, disability parking.
  • Communication in a variety of formats.
  • Quiet areas.
Go back to the Diversity & Inclusion page.