The Equality Act 2010 has been law for fifteen years. Most grassroots clubs still don’t understand their obligations. Here’s what you need to know.
Under the Equality Act, clubs have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled players. Neurodivergence can be considered a disability. ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, anxiety disorders – all can qualify.
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to make adjustments. You just need evidence of need. And here’s the bit that catches clubs out: you have an anticipatory duty.
That means you should be thinking about accessibility before someone asks. Not after.
Nothing complicated. Nothing expensive. Just adaptations that help players access the game. Here are some examples:
Extra processing time for verbal instructions. Give the instruction, pause, then demonstrate.
Quiet spaces for sensory overwhelm. A bench away from the touchline noise. Five minutes to reset.
Visual schedules for session structure. Show the plan, don’t just tell it.
Modified instructions for dyslexic players. Use diagrams. Keep language simple.
Pre-session prep for autistic players. Tell them what’s happening before it happens.
Movement breaks for ADHD players. Build them into the session, don’t treat them as a disruption.
Most of these cost nothing. They just require awareness and intention.
Making adjustments isn’t enough. You need to record them.
Why? Because if a complaint arises, you need evidence that you’ve been proactive.
Good documentation looks like this:
It’s a 2-minute log per player. Nothing bureaucratic. Just evidence of care.
Mistake 1: Waiting for parents/carers/guardians to demand adjustments
That’s not anticipatory duty. That’s reactive. The law expects you to think ahead.
Mistake 2: Treating neurodivergence as a medical issue requiring diagnosis
Wrong. You respond to observable need. Not paperwork. And people are waiting years for a diagnosis, so waiting for one before taking action is a mistake.
Mistake 3: No documentation
If you’re not recording what you’re doing, you can’t evidence compliance. And if you can’t evidence it, you’re exposed.
Mistake 4: Treating reasonable adjustments as “special treatment”
They’re not favours. They’re legal obligations. And they make football accessible and inclusive.
You’re probably already making some adjustments without realising it. The good coaches do this instinctively. They adapt. They notice. They respond. The good clubs put support in place for this to happen. The good County FAs have tools to help their stakeholders.
But if it’s not consistent across your club – if only some coaches get it – you’ve got gaps. And gaps create risk. Risk of complaints. Risk of players dropping out. Risk of reputational damage.
But more importantly, you’re not serving players properly.
Because welfare officers and coaches are working in isolation. They do a one-off safeguarding course. Maybe an FA module. Then they’re on their own.
No peer support. No ongoing CPD. No practical resources for matchday situations.
And when they need help, they turn to Facebook groups where “Dave” tells them neurodiversity is a fad and they should just get on with it.
That’s not a support system. That’s a liability.
Ongoing training that keeps pace with what you’re actually seeing on the pitch.
And crucially – support for parents/carers/guardians too. Because educated families become partners, not adversaries.
Talk to your County FA. Ask them what training and support is available around Equality Act compliance. Ask if they provide ongoing CPD, not just one-off workshops. Ask if they offer resources that translate legal obligations into practical matchday strategies.
Ultimately though, the responsibility still sits with your club.
We’ve solved this problem and more with the FMHA Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding Academy.
The FMHA Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Safeguarding Academy gives your entire club unlimited access to:
Not a one-off workshop. Not a Facebook group. An ongoing support system built specifically for grassroots football.
The resources and support provided in The Vault are designed to promote mental wellbeing and provide general guidance on mental health related to grassroots football.
However, the content is not intended to serve as specific mental health advice or replace consultation with a trained professional. If you or someone you know requires personalised mental health support, we strongly encourage you to consult with a licensed mental health professional and/or seek appropriate services in your area.
