Ross Juniors PAN Disability Football Group
Ross Juniors FC is an FA Charter Standard Community Football Club serving Ross-on-Wye and the surrounding area. This season the club is running 27 teams with over 400 playing members from juniors to adults with the PAN Disability team a recent addition.
In setting up a PAN Disability Football group, Ross Juniors FC are aiming to create opportunities for people with a disability/impairment, who may not ordinarily be able to access a mainstream football environment. Using support networks within schools, the community, care homes and day centres, the club seeks to enable people to access a structured footballing opportunity which is right for them. Although based in Ross-on-Wye, players have joined us from the Forest of Dean, Ledbury and Newent.
PAN disability means that all disabled people are organised in the same group, or coalition of groups, regardless of the differences in the type of disability they have. Three DRB certified coaches work with the players, thereby allowing us to differentiate activities and cater more closely for the individual needs of each player. The Ross Juniors PAN Disability group currently caters for both male and female players from 16 years of age.
"We are undefeatable" initiative
Since its inception in 2019, the initiative has met with a measure of success, but there is no doubt that the momentum generated pre-lockdown has been difficult to recover. As such, we are considering extending the remit of the group to include individuals that come under the 'We are undefeatable' initiative. This may include those suffering from Parkinson's, are in stroke rehabilitation, have mental health issues, GP referrals (heart conditions etc) and individuals with early onset dementia. All would be welcome to join us.
There is no fee for joining since the club has chosen to subsidise the initiative in line with it's commitment to diversity.
How to get involved and contact us
Our PAN Disability Football group sessions would normally take place at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre but, as winter approaches, we have moved indoors at the John Kyrle High School Sports Centre. We aim to run sessions once a week (subject to the availability of a venue) and are currently meeting on Saturday mornings between 10am and 11am.
If you are aware of any individuals or organisations you think might benefit from participation, please either let us know or point them in our direction. Any one of us would be happy to answer any queries.
We can be contacted on:
- Gareth Nutt 07583 232 656
- Jim Loftus 07903 010 475
- Tony Stevens 07967 404 934
I hope this is sufficient to pique your interest. We'd be delighted to hear from you and willing to meet should you wish to discuss matters further.
You can visit our website and Facebook page for more information.