Aidan Corbett
Waterford FC in the Community has been selected in the final four shortlist for the European Football Development Network More Than Football Award.
The Autism-Friendly Inclusion project has been nominated as one of the final four projects from a large entry of social responsibility projects from football clubs Europe-wide and is now in the running for the European Football for Development Network’s “More than Football” Award 2024.
The winner will receive recognition for implementing the most innovative and impactful Community and Social Responsibility programme in European football and a fully branded Mini-Pitch System modular sports solution, developed in partnership between the winning organisation, EFDN, and sponsor Musco Lighting.
The other club projects shortlisted include projects from the Aberdeen Community Trust, Bristol City Robins Foundation and Salford City’s 92 Foundation.
Waterford FC’s autism programme features two main initiatives: an autism friendly match day experience where appointed volunteer Club Ambassadors are on hand at all times to assist children and parents for the entire duration of their visit whenever they attend a game at the RSC.
The second initiative is centred on playing opportunities for children with autism and Waterford FC facilitates the weekly Football Friends programme where parents can bring their children to play in an inclusive, safe and secure environment at Ozier Park.
Speaking on the news, Waterford FC Head of Community Development Colin Power said: “Waterford FC in the Community is delighted to be selected for the final four of the European Football Development Network award. This recognizes all the work we have done to make Waterford FC an autism-friendly club."
Everyone involved deserves great credit for getting this far particularly the volunteers who give up their time helping us to run all the programs and the families for attending and the Healthy Ireland programme for supporting the club’s social inclusion work.”
Waterford FC will attend the EFDN #MakingFootballMatter Conference in Leuven, Belgium, in November to present their autism project to EFDN delegates.
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