SCOTTISH FA DISABILITY DEVELOPMENT
Scottish Football Association
Disability Club
Development Programme
Scotland United; PAN Disability Team/Club
INTRODUCTION
In May 2009 the Scottish FA commissioned a full overview of Scottish Football conducted by
former first minister Henry McLeish. In April 2010 part one of the review was published with 53
recommendations relating to Football, Talent, Government, Facilities and Clubs.
Recommendation number 5 states:
“The Disability Football programme is an important part of the Scottish FA’s commitment to
encouraging those with disabilities/special needs - physical, sensory or learning or a mixture of
all three - to participate in football. It is important to note that no matter a person’s ability or
disability they can access the game across Scotland.
Programmes are being further developed to ensure that “barriers” to disability participation can
be overcome. The success of the approach is underpinned by the Coaching Footballers with
Disabilities certificate course.
It is hoped that the SFA’s Disability Football programme will continue to develop over the next
five years. The future of the programme will be shaped by the creation of a new 5-year disability
development plan in 2012, together with a winning bid for the 2010 European Championships.
There is no doubt about the importance of keeping the Scottish FA in the forefront of developing
football opportunities for those people with disabilities and maintaining international recognition
for this. Again, finance is a crucial part of success”
(Henry McLeish Review of Scottish Football Part 1)
Scotland United; Scottish Football’s Disability Future 2012-2017, is the plan that will shape
Football for Scotland Disabled population and will encourage players to reach their full potential.
The Scottish FA are committed to working with clubs to ensure the players with a Disability can
reach their potential and have the opportunity to be part of their local community and be part of a
local grassroots football club.
Thank you to your club and volunteers for committing to Disability Football and please do not
hesitate to contact the Scottish FA to assist in your club to fully develop and become Disability
Inclusive.
David McArdle
Scottish FA Disability Development Officer
David.McArdle@Scottishfa.co.uk
0141 616 6077
SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
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SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY TEAM
“PAN Disability” is a term used to introduce all disability groups together in one environment
within one football training session. The club will allow players with a variance of disabilities from
Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disability, Wheelchair, Blind, Deaf and any other disabilities groups that
may wish to take part in football within your club structure.
The clubs main responsibility will be to allow players who are unable to take part in mainstream
football training either due to their level of disability or their comfortability within a mainstream
football environment.
The club along with the Scottish FA will work with key stakeholders within Disability
Networks to develop a monthly taster session for players with a Disability to establish a
participation base. After the completion of 3 monthly sessions the club will seek to create a
weekly training session for the players to enjoy football within a grassroots club environment`
and fully become an active member of the club.
The PAN Disability Club would allow players who suffer from:
 Cerebral Palsy / Acquired Brain Injury

Complex Learning Disabilities

Visual Impaired

Wheelchair users

Amputee
The Scottish FA will fully support clubs in their progression to achieve this award and will receive:
 Scotland United PAN Disability Club Certificate.

Scotland United PAN Disability Club Badge. (to be used within club advertising)

1x Free place on Scottish FA Coaching Players with a Disability Course.

Disability Club Development Gift List. (Issued once club is running weekly sessions)

Creation of Communication pathway between Club & Scottish FA Disability

Development Officer.
SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
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SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Stage 1: Meeting with Scottish FA Disability Development Officer and Club Officials to
discuss opportunity.
 Issue of application pack
Stage 2: Application pack received by Scottish FA Disability Development Officer with 3
monthly dates confirmed (8 weeks before first monthly session)
 Scottish FA to create flyers (250)

Link club with Active Schools / Disability Key Stakeholders

Scottish FA Website story to promote new taster sessions
Stage 3: Flyers issued to the club (6 weeks before first session)
 Flyers issued to Schools / Clubs / Disability organisations
Stage 4: Disability Officer Communication (2 weeks before first session)
 Review register

Liaise over any issues before first session
Stage 5: Review after 1st taster session (Week after session)
 News Story on Scottish FA Website

Re-issue of Flyers
Stage 6: Meeting with Club and Scottish FA Disability Development Officer (Between 2nd &
3rd Session)
 Weekly session details

Weekly flyers created

News Story on Scottish FA website
Stage 7: Scottish FA Club visit @ weekly sessions (1 month after start of weekly
sessions)
 Review of weekly sessions

Issue of gift of kit application
Stage 8: Scottish FA Club visit @ weekly sessions (1 month after first visit)
 Issue of gift pack

Issue of “Scotland United PAN Disability Team” certificate

Issue of “Scotland United PAN Disability Team” badge

News Story on Scottish FA website
Stage 9: Scottish FA Disability Development Officer Time and communication
(Throughout)
SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
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FLYERS/POSTERS
All clubs will receive 250 flyers initially to help promote their club further, flyers will be produced
with specific details for the club
SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
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SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
APPLICATION FORM
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CLUB DETAILS
Club name
Club Name
Club
Chairman
Key
Contact
Contact
Number
Contact
Email
Scottish FA
Region
Scottish FA
Quality
Mark
Award
Club
Website
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FLYER DETAILS
Club name
Contact
Name
Contact
number
Contact
Email
Training
Dates
Training
Time
Venue
Please return to:
David McArdle
Disability Development Officer
Hampden Park
Glasgow
G42 9AY
David.McArdle@scottishfa.co.uk
SCOTLAND UNITED PAN DISABILITY CLUB
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