At Bollabo, we’re passionate about supporting our local community, and one of the projects we’re particularly proud to be involved with is the SEN football programme at Burscough FC.
The sessions bring together around 30 children with a wide range of additional needs, all united by a love of football. Every player is different, which is what makes the programme both challenging and incredibly rewarding. As part of the coaching team, we help plan and deliver sessions designed to be inclusive, enjoyable and accessible for everyone involved.
Coaching within an SEN environment requires a different approach. Some players may be deaf, some may have limited verbal communication, and others may need instructions delivered in a particular way or broken down into smaller steps. As coaches, we’re constantly learning how to adapt our communication and coaching styles to ensure every player can participate and enjoy the game.
One challenge we identified was ensuring that coaches and volunteers had the information they needed to support each child effectively. Parents and carers often have valuable insights into how their child communicates, learns and engages with activities, but there wasn’t a simple way to capture and share that information.
To help address this, Bollabo designed and produced a set of player passports for the programme. These passports allow parents and carers to provide important information about their child, including communication preferences, medical information, sensory considerations and practical tips that help coaches create the best possible experience.
The passports also include milestone achievements, giving players the opportunity to collect rewards and celebrate their progress throughout the season. While football remains the focus, building confidence, encouraging participation and recognising personal achievements are just as important.
For us, this project is a great example of how a simple idea can make a meaningful difference. By combining our design skills with our involvement in grassroots football, we’ve been able to support a fantastic initiative that is opening the game up to more young people.
Most importantly, it’s a reminder that football really is for everyone. Seeing the enjoyment, confidence and enthusiasm the players bring to every session is what makes being involved so worthwhile.