The EFL week of Action continutes with the fourth in this week's series looking at the work of Oxford United in the Community
Football – and sports participation generally – should be for everyone, regardless of a person’s age, background, ability or gender.
To mark the EFL’s Week of Action, we’re highlighting the work of Oxford United in the Community and its commitment to providing everyone in Oxfordshire with a positive connection to the U’s badge.
Our fourth feature of the week focuses on the charity’s disability football sessions delivered in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College. Launched in January, the sessions are held every Wednesday at Abingdon and Witney College’s Abingdon campus from 1pm for two hours and open to anyone aged 18 or older.
This week, participants were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of United’s training ground on Horspath Road and rubbed shoulders with some of the club’s most recognisable names and stars of the future.
Social Inclusion Lead Mark Thomas led the group around the winding corridors within the four walls where all the key decisions are made. This included a peek inside the first-team dressing room, a chance to sit in the analysis room and explore the onsite gym.
Joining participants on the tour was club legend Peter Rhoades-Brown, while members of Oxford United’s Academy were also introduced when the group passed the training ground’s social hub.
Players then replicated their heroes by taking part in an open training session on one of the 3G pitches in the shadows of the main building to develop skills which can be applied on and off the pitch such as teamwork, communication and problem solving.
Mark said: “A lot of the social impact work we deliver is done off the pitch.
“For example, we’ve used a training session at Oxford United’s training ground to develop excitement and interest within the group, but by viewing facilities behind-the-scenes as a team beforehand naturally develops the skills we want participants to enhance.
“Primarily, my role is to work with people of all backgrounds who for whatever reason find themselves excluded from physical activity, employment and training. And we want to help people access opportunities through the power of football.
“We’re really encouraged by the progress our disability football sessions have made since launching them in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College earlier this year.
“Participation numbers have grown, and so have our outcomes. New friendships have been formed, players are better communicators with each other and they’re more confident speaking up during sessions.
“Even better, most of them have converted in Oxford United fans!”
Since the first disability football session was delivered, participants have had the opportunity to attend first-team fixtures at the Kassam Stadium, train at the training ground, present the first-team Player of the Month award and play in an organised tournament.
Mark added: “There’s a great spirit in the group and Wednesday afternoons are a time everyone connected to the sessions looks forward to.
“We’re really grateful to Abingdon and Witney College who have been fantastic supporting the programme and New Home Improvement Group who have kindly allowed the team to present the Player of the Month award.”
Lee Humber, Adult Learning Disability Coordinator at Abingdon and Witney College, said: “The whole programme is a huge inspiration and we’re excited to continue seeing it go from strength-to-strength.
“We define sessions as delivering a holistic experience where participants can develop their football and social skills, physical fitness and confidence.
“Ongoing, we want to continue growing our engagement figures by hosting more people and making them a part of our group where everyone aged 18 or older is welcome. We’d urge anyone interested in finding out more to get involved.”
To learn more and register your interest in Oxford United in the Community’s disability football sessions, please email lee.humber@abingdon-witney.ac.uk. No previous playing experience is required and sessions taking place in the main sports hall at Abingdon and Witney College’s Abingdon campus.
Book onto our programmes:
You can see a full list of available Oxford United in the Community programmes and book online HERE < Football Courses in Oxfordshire | Oxford United in the Community (ouitc.org)>. Remember, choosing one of our programmes means you are directly supporting our community initiatives across the County, as well as being part of the pathway into the Academy.
Support our work:
If you would like to support the work we are doing in the Community, you can make a one off donation, or set up a monthly donation of an amount of your choosing easily through our donation platform Enthuse. Click HERE to make a donation.
Remember, every donation helps us to continue with our programmes and supports our effort to expand our impact across the County as part of our Oxfordshire – A Community United strategy.
100 fans giving just £2 a month would allow us to fund our disability programme for a whole year*.
500 fans doing the same would allow us to expand the programme in 5 partner towns across the County*.
1000 fans would allow us to fund more than 600 places on our holiday camp and skill centre programmes, giving 5-13 year olds and their families access to physical and group activities that may otherwise be inaccessible to them*.
Thank you for your support.
Work for us:
Feeling inspired and interested in working for Oxford United in the Community? We have a current vacancy for an Operations Administrator. You can read more and apply HERE.
*Indicative examples only