The number of players with a learning disability involved in the sport has risen dramatically over the past few years. In fact, it’s now easier to identify those people with disabilities who do not play football than those who do. Players with cerebral palsy have been involved in international competition since 1978. The national and international programme for deaf players is well established, and Scot’s play a prominent role.



Blind and visually impaired players can now access the Paralympic Games through a five-a-side version of the game. Amputee players are making a strong play for inclusion in future Paralympic Games. Wheelchair users, not to be outdone, have involved themselves in different forms of the game promoted throughout the world. Scottish Disability Sport is committed to providing opportunities for junior and senior players of all levels of ability.

Scottish FA
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has a long tradition of initiating and supporting opportunities for people with a disability to participate in football.

SFA officials, referees and coaches have involved themselves enthusiastically in numerous local, national and international tournaments for players with a learning disability, hearing impairment or cerebral palsy.



The interests of disabled people have always been considered in the programme offered by the SFA community coaches and Development Officers. These same coaches have been active throughout Scotland in improving coaching standards and increasing playing opportunities.



With the help of Scottish Disability Sport, the SFA Technical Department has produced a video resource ‘Football Skills for People with Disabilities’. This along with many other SFA publications and video’s are a must for those involved in football coaching at all levels.

Recent developments have included the formation of a joint SFA SDS steering group to produce and implement a development plan for football for people with a disability in Scotland.

For more information on disability football in Scotland see the Scottish FA




Special thanks to Cocoa Rose Photography for provision of images.

AWADS
The Association of Wheelchair & Ambulant Disabled Supporters has a website which details of the availability of facilities at a number of Scottish SPL and SFL grounds. Users may also leave a comment detailing their own experiences.



National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS)
NADS in association with BBC Radio Five Live recently carried out a survey of disabled football fans in the UK, asking them about their experiences at games around the country.



Here are a selection of comments from Scottish football fans:

I am a wheelchair user and I go and watch my team, Hibs almost everywhere in Scotland.

At our stadium Easter Road, the stand I sit in is very modern as it was only built in 2001. So therefore facilities are not a problem for me. The view is sometimes not the greatest as wheelchair users are primarily situated down at ground level and seeing things in certain areas of the pitch can be a problem. However in comparison with other grounds in Scotland, Easter Road is one of the best for wheelchair users.

As for other grounds I have visited over the years, they range from very good to very poor.

Tannadice(Dundee Utd)-Wheelchair users are now stuck away in a corner between 2 stands as no provisions have been made in the stand where away fans are situated. No idea how I would go about using their facilities if I was on my own.

Falkirk Stadium(Falkirk)-Situated behind one of the goals at ground level, I don't see very well from where I am and once when I was there when it was raining I got soaked by half time. Facilities are not a problem as it is a brand new stadium.

Fir Park(Motherwell and Gretna)-Absolutely awful. There are NO facilities for wheelchairs in the stand holding the away support, meaning that we have to sit under a bus shelter type of thing that is out in the open. Only problem is, this only allows space for 4 or 5 wheelchairs so any extra people just have to sit exposed to the weather. Carers are also required to stand during the entire match as there are no seats provided.

Tynecastle(Hearts)-No complaints about the view, apart from if people decide to stand up in the row in front. Facilities are also easily accessible by myself.

Rugby Park(Kilmarnock)-Not the best view as I am in a cowshed down the very front of the stand housing away fans. However we are well catered for as we only have to inform a steward if we need anything to eat/drink.

Love Street(St Mirren)-Very old stand and therefore not the best view. Similar to Falkirk in that we are behind one of the goals, right down the very front. Although I have never enquired, I don't suppose getting food/drink would be a problem.

Hampden(national stadium)-Wheelchair users are either situated right down the very front or alternatively there is room for some wheelchairs in the upper tier of the east stand which gives a far better view and you are right next to the food/drink queues. However you do feel a bit exluded from everyone else.

The stadia I have mentioned above are all belonging to SPL clubs plus Hampden. I have only been to a few non SPL grounds in my time so I cannot comment on them. However, since they are lower league grounds, I can only assume that they are no better than what is available in the SPL.

On the whole, I don't think facilities at Scottish football stadia are suitable for wheelchair using supporters and I would like to see things changed. Ideally we should be situated half way up a stand so that our view of the game is improved but the rows of seats in front of the wheelchair section must be far enough down so that if the people in those seats decide to stand up, our view of the game is not restricted as most wheelchair users cannot stand up to see over them.

Source: BBC five live

Special thanks to Cocoa Rose Photography for provision of images.

The law in England and Wales protects disabled people from hate crime by ensuring that it is recorded as an additional, ‘aggravating’ factor by police and by requiring courts to give criminals tougher sentences where there has been an element of disability hate crime in their offence. However, the law in Scotland only recognises hate crime on the basis of race and religion. This leaves other groups, such as disabled people and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, unprotected.

Capability Scotland carried out research in 2004 to measure the extent of hate crime against disabled people. You can read our research report here. The findings are alarming.

• Almost half (47%) of all respondents had experienced hate crime because of their disability
• Hate crime has a major impact on the lives of victims. One third had to avoid certain places or situations and one quarter had moved house as a result of an attack.

Capability Scotland was a member of a Scottish Executive working group set up to look at hate crime in 2004. The group made a series of recommendations to tackle hate crime, including an expansion of the law to protect disabled and LGBT people.

You can access a copy of the working group's report here. An easy read version is also available here.

In June 2006, the Scottish Executive published its response to the Working Group's recommendations.This report rejected the idea of extending the law to protect disabled people from hate crime.

However, the new Scottish National Party administration committed itself to introducing statutory protection against hate crime for disabled people.

In January 2008, Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, announced that hate crime legislation is to be strengthened to protect disabled people and those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities.

The Scottish Government backed Green MSP Patrick Harvie’s proposal for a Sentencing of Offences Aggravated by Prejudice (Scotland) Bill. The legislation will be taken forward early this year as a handout Member’s Bill.

If you have been a victim of Hate Crime and require free, confidential advice please contact ASCS - Advice Service Capability Scotland on 0131 313 5510 or textphone 0131 346 2529.


Special thanks to Cocoa Rose Photography for provision of images.

World Cup round-up
These past few years have been an adventure for Scotland’s young players with cerebral palsy. A partnership between SDS and the Scottish FA with support from sportscotland resulted in the appointment of Stuart Sharp as the first national disability football officer. With support from a number of key SFA coaches disability football in Scotland has been transformed and really taken off. High quality training sessions in Stirling, a nation wide search for new players and a measured introduction to international football resulted in qualification for the 2007 World Championships in Brazil as sixteenth seeds. An amazing success story before the players even kicked a ball in Rio.

The 7-a-side World Championships for players with cerebral palsy, head injury or stroke were organised by the Cerebral Palsy Sport and Recreation Association (CPISRA) whose President is Alan Dickson, Chief Executive of Capability Scotland, a major partner organisation of SDS. The Championships were staged at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro between 3rd and 18th November.

What an experience for the young Scottish team to be a part of such a great international sporting event. It was clear right from the start that they were not there to make up the numbers. The 12 man squad was well prepared and well supported on and off the field. Scottish supporters have a world wide reputation and those who made the journey to South America lived up to the high standards of the “tartan army”.

Players played for one another and one of the highlights for the Scottish team was learning that 16 year old midfielder Mark Robertson from Penicuik was voted Young Player of the Tournament. The apprentice motor mechanic’s response on hearing of his award was typically modest. “ Just to be part of the squad chosen to go to Brazil and represent Scotland was a big thrill……It’s a real honour although it was definitely a team effort……coaches and team mates rallied around….a great team spirit was a major factor in the memorable victories over Argentina and Ireland.” Mark summed up a great Scottish achievement perfectly.

The story of the championships began on November 5th when Iran launched their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Spain. Wins for the Netherlands against USA and Australia over South Africa presented no real surprises. The 5 -3 victory by Brazil over England/Wales was disappointing for Scotland’s leading players who have aspirations of competing for GB in Beijing at the Paralympic Games of 2008. The Home Countries have nominated the England/Wales team for ranking points towards qualification for Beijing and a high finishing position for England/Wales was critical to GB qualifying for China.

On day two the very successful and experienced Ukraine team played their first match and comfortably defeated Canada 7-0. Ireland similarly launched their campaign with an emphatic 11-1 victory over Japan and favourites Russia had a walkover against China because of their late arrival due to visa problems. Scotland took to the field for the first time on day two and recorded an outstanding 2-1 result over Argentina. What a start to their campaign and a victory that exceeded all expectations.

Day three was the start of the second round of the pool matches. Pool A favourites Iran defeated the USA 3-1 and the Netherlands made it two wins out of two with a victory against Spain and consequently bring Spanish hopes of further progress to an end. Pool B favourites Brazil put 13 goals past South Africa and England/Wales raised British spirits with a 3-0 win over Australia to set up a pool runner up qualifying match against the South Africans.

On day four the powerful Ukrainian and Irish teams made steady progress to the play offs with comfortable wins against Japan and Canada by 8-0 and 2-0 respectively. Not surprisingly pool D favourites Russia defeated Scotland but they left the field of play knowing they had been in a contest. Argentina had a walkover against China to bring the second phase of the qualifying games to a conclusion.

Day five had no surprises. Pool A leaders and qualifiers Iran and the Netherlands played out a 2-1 match and USA defeated Spain 3-0 to take third spot. Pool B leaders Brazil made it three wins in a row with a 5-0 victory over Australia and a final tally of 23 goals in three matches. Thankfully England/Wales defeated South Africa 4-0 to win the final qualifying place in pool B and push their opponents down to fourth place in the pool below Australia.

On day six victories for Ukraine and Canada settled qualification in pool C and as expected Ukraine and Ireland progressed and Canada and Japan occupied third and fourth positions in the pool respectively. In pool D Russia had to defeat Argentina for Scotland to progress to the play offs and happily they did not disappoint. The margin was 5-0 and players, coaches and the “mini tartan army” celebrated the Scottish success at their first world championships. The Scots played a friendly against China who sadly were unable to take part in the tournament because of the visa problems. As hosts they will however be in Beijing next year.

During the final days of the tournament teams played for the top places and the minor positions.

Rankings are very important to countries because they determine which teams they can avoid at future championships and of course the qualifiers for the 2008 Paralympic Games. China finished in 16th position with Spain one place above. Japan defeated South Africa by 2-0 to finish in thirteenth place and Australia eleventh with a 5-2 victory over Canada. Argentina defeated USA by a single goal to finish in ninth place one ahead of their opponents.

The scene was set for the quarter final ties and the contest for the top eight finishing positions.

All the matches went to form and the four top teams in the world progressed to the semi finals without conceding a goal. Iran defeated Scotland 6-0 to set up a mouth watering encounter with Brazil winners against Ireland. Ukraine beat England/Wales 4-0 and Russia recorded a similar score against the Netherlands to set up an all Eastern European semi final between two of world’s most successful CP football nations of the last decade. To say there is rivalry between these two nations would be an understatement.

Three days before the conclusion of the tournament Scotland met Ireland for the right to progress further and play for fifth place in the championships. Ireland has been a force in world football for over twenty years. The young Scots were not expected to challenge their rivals from across the Irish Sea because of the heavy defeat they experienced when they last met in a friendly. The Scots are now used to producing the unexpected and their win after extra time and penalties surpassed their earlier tournament victory over Argentina. Scotland’s opponents would be the Netherlands who defeated England/Wales 3-1.

The semi finals lived up to expectations. Nine goals were scored in the Iran Brazil match but surprisingly the South American champions scored one fewer than their opponents. The Russia Ukraine semi final went to extra time and penalties and once again it was only one goal that settled the tie in favour of the Russians. On the final day of the championships Ukraine received some consolation for the loss against their neighbours by defeating Brazil 2-0 to win the bronze medals and secure a world ranking of three, one ahead of Brazil.

On the final day of the championships England/Wales defeated Ireland 6-1 to secure seventh place but more importantly that vital qualifying place for Great Britain at the Beijing Paralympic Games. Well done the England/Wales players. Several young Scots have been identified as potential members of the GB squad and we wish them well. Scotland met the Netherlands in the play off for fifth place but had to settle for sixth following a 3-0 defeat. There was elation however in the Scottish camp at the achievements of this young inexperienced team of payers and coaches. There is a new found respectability and confidence about Scottish CP football and everybody associated with the game should be delighted. The players are on a journey and there is a feeling that they still have some way to go but much more to achieve.

In the final match on the final day Russia defeated Iran by 2-1 and lift the title of world champions of 2007. Luciano Rocha of Brazil scored an amazing 9 goals and Taras Dutko of Ukraine 7.

Pleasing to GB is that Wayne Ward of England/Wales finished with 8 goals. Scotland’s top scorer was Keiran Martin with 2 excellent goals in the match against Ireland. A great outcome from an amazing adventure. Well done to all concerned and in particular the players and coaches.

Source: Scottish Disability Sport


Special thanks to Cocoa Rose Photography for provision of images.

Most disabled footballers, whether juniors or adults, play in what are known as pan-disability clubs or teams. These are teams comprised of footballers with differing impairments, playing together.

However, football is also played in each of seven different classifications, all with variations to the standard football association rules.

Visually impaired
Football for people with a learning disability is generally a 5-a-side game with slight rule variation between the different organisations. 11-a-side football tends to be played by players and teams who perform at a higher ability level.

The football used contains ball bearings so that it makes a noise when it moves.

Deaf and/or hearing impaired
There are currently 25 active deaf football clubs in Great Britain, most of which compete in mainstream football leagues around Britain. The majority of these clubs compete in the British Deaf Football Cup, The English Deaf Cup, and the Scottish Deaf Cup.

Under international criteria, deaf players must have an average hearing loss of 55 Decibels or more in the best ear. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids.

Cerebral Palsy
Footballers with Cerebral Palsy fall into two main categories, those who play from a standing position and those who play seated.

Those that play from a standing position tend to belong to Pan disability football clubs and play to national FA rules (subject to local league or competition variation). For CP specific games and at international level, a seven-a-side version of the game is used, utilising a smaller playing area and reduced sized goals.

CP players who play from a seated position play wheelchair or powerchair football.

Amputees
Football for Amputees is generally played without prosthesis and by using elbow crutches (outfield players). Goalkeepers are single arm amputees. However players who are uncomfortable about playing on crutches are encouraged to wear limbs by some clubs, in order to get more people involved.

Learning disability
Football for people with a learning disability is generally a 5-a-side game with slight rule variation between the different organisations. 11-a-side football tends to be played by players and teams who perform at a higher ability level.

Wheelchair Users
Wheelchair football has been played across the UK for a number of years now, with many clubs and development programmes providing regular coaching.


Disability Football clubs in Scotland
Find information on the clubs playing in Soctland at The Disability Football Directory website.






Special thanks to Cocoa Rose Photography for provision of images.