DISABLED football pioneers the Caulkhead Strollers have been awarded over £11,000 from Sport England towards helping make the game more popular on the Isle of Wight.
The award, through The Football Foundation and the Energize Me project, was made to help boost the club's efforts to 'grow the game' on the Isle of Wight.
The £11,006 windfall means the Strollers will form two new age group teams at under-12 and under-16 levels.
Dave Duffy, who founded the Strollers, said: "We have been invited to join the Saints Foundation Pan Disability League in Southampton, starting in November. We will be entering two teams into this monthly league programme.
"The funding we received will go towards coaching, training, venue costs, new kit and equipment and travel expenses.
"We will be giving every person with a disability on the Isle of Wight, aged from five years to 70, the opportunity to play 'inclusive' football in a team on a regular basis.
"They will be coached by qualified, badged coaches and registered staff.
"We will be delivering in-school coaching lessons once a week for six weeks. So far we have enrolled St Georges School and St Catherines School.
"We can also offer free FA coaching courses to two enthusiastic members and we also can offer most other FA courses for free, such as welfare
officer training, first aid.
"Soon we will be able to enrol two trainee referees on an FA refereeing course.
"Our weekly training sessions will be held every Wednesday, starting on November 7 at Rew Valley Indoor Sports Centre, Ventnor. The under-12s start at 4.30pm, with the under-16s starting at 5.30pm.
"The first week will be free, with a fee of £2 per week thereafter.
"I look forward to seeing you all there."
For more information, call Dave Duffy on 07890-670009.
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