By Joe Townsend
Oxfordshire witnessed the emergence of a flagship community initiative last year which has continued to flourish in 2024.
In January 2023 Oxford United in the Community, in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College, launched a new programme of inclusion football sessions to enhance disability football and sporting provisions in the area. Accepting over 18-year-olds of all abilities, this partnership began to run sessions where locals could socialise and spend time honing their football skills.
The disability football programme quickly grew in popularity. Eighteen months later it has worked with over 40 individuals who participate in weekly Wednesday sessions during term-time. Abingdon and Witney College originally hosted these but increasingly sessions are held at Oxford United’s Bangkok Glass Training Centre from 12.30 to 15.30. Mark Thomas, social inclusion lead at Oxford United in the Community, said: “We place a strong emphasis on enjoyment and friendship while helping players build confidence levels, increase physical activity and set new personal goals.”
The meteoric rise of this initiative has witnessed highlights such as: a behind-the-scenes training ground tour; training with club legends like James Constable; a Player of the Month matchday presentation; pulling on the famous yellow kit of Oxford United at a maiden tournament hosted in Wiltshire; and the team’s first home game being played against Northampton Town, with U’s men’s team manager Des Buckingham prowling the touchline.
Some of the money funding these activities comes from match-going fans who can opt to donate to Oxford United in the Community when they buy a ticket, raising over £1,700 in the first five months of the 2023-24 season.
Mark Thomas and Lee Humber, the adult learning disability coordinator at Abingdon and Witney College, should be commended for their hard work in fostering this team of football enthusiasts. The successes of Oxford United in the Community have not gone unnoticed. It was recently named ‘Charity of the Year’ by Opendoorz, a regional business networking group.
At a recent adults with learning differences conference, Thomas said: “Football can be used as a fantastic lever to inspire new skills, connections, and opportunities for individuals who engage. Our inclusion football squad is no different, and the positive changes sessions have made to participants both physically, mentally and practically is clear to see. It demonstrates how we can use football to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities, which is at the heart of our operation at the football club’s chosen charity.”
Sport Local Action echoes this sentiment, and we look forward to witnessing the progression of this inclusion football squad. Anyone in the Oxfordshire area who is interested in participating in the 2024-25 season should email inclusion@oufc.co.uk for more information.