First team duo Rhys Bennett and Jim McNulty visited Redwood School recently, adding their support to the Dale in the Community Trusts’ Ability Counts Project.
The programme is aimed at providing opportunities for young people who are unable to access mainstream football and training, specifically targeting a range of disabilities including learning difficulties, physical/sensory impairments, emotional and behavioural, and those with long term illnesses and conditions.
The Trust organises weekly after school coaching sessions at Redwood School, in addition to the week-long intensive coaching programme which was held last week.
Rhys and Jim joined in with the fun activities during the week-long programme, taking turns to be goalkeeper for the penalty shoot-out.
Not only that, the Trust has an under 16s team playing in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts League on a monthly basis, featuring mostly youngsters from Redwood, as well as an open age group.
Training for the successful open age squad takes place on Monday’s at the Club’s 5-a-side Complex between 6.30 – 8.00pm, leading to games again in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts Leagues at Salford Sports Village. They are fun sessions which give the opportunity for everybody to take part no matter the extent of disability.
Last season the Ability Counts team won the Division One title, beating off competition from Manchester United, Wigan Athletic, Manchester City plus a host of other teams. They currently sit third in the Championship behind Bolton and Manchester City.
Interested in joining either team? Contact Keith Hicks on 07958593121.