Two new pieces of work from across UK sport have landed on the same point: inclusion fails when we look at one label and miss the whole person.
Activity Alliance’s new research says a player’s experience can be shaped by several things at once. Disability or neurodivergence may be part of the picture, but so might gender, ethnicity, cost, transport, family circumstances, communication, facilities, relationships and whether the environment feels safe.
Here is a hypothetical football example.
An under-12 player arrives late, struggles in a noisy changing room, misses the first instruction and then refuses a drill. It would be easy to call that poor attitude. But there could be several barriers combining: an unreliable bus, uncertainty about what the session involves, sensory overload, worry about kit, or something difficult happening outside football.
That is not a diagnosis, and a coach should not try to make one. The better question is: “What is getting in the way, and what would help?”
Before your next session, try this four-question check:
New Swim England neurodiversity guidance reinforces this approach. Although written for aquatics, its principles are relevant to football when applied carefully: clear communication, predictable structure, visual demonstration, attention to sensory needs, and a balance between structure and appropriate choice. ParalympicsGB’s new Equal Play recommendations also make the wider point that inclusion needs trained people and accessible environments, not goodwill alone.
The FMHA Academy helps grassroots coaches, welfare leads, volunteers and families build this practical capability through ongoing football-specific learning, resources and a moderated community. It complements mandatory safeguarding training and does not replace club procedures. If there is an urgent safeguarding or mental health concern, follow the appropriate procedure or emergency route immediately.
Explore the FMHA Academy: https://fmha.academy
Original-source references: Activity Alliance research | Swim England neurodiversity guidance | ParalympicsGB Equal Play recommendations
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