MK Dons

MK Dons Sport and Education Trust in partnership with MK Council Sports Development, Berks and Bucks FA, and the Football League Trust are pleased to offer the following Disability and Special Needs football sessions in and around the Milton Keynes area. Please feel free to circulate this information to students, clients, parents, carers and any other agencies that you may be in contact with.

All group coaching sessions are lead by a qualified MK Dons Sport and Education Trust coach who is also CRB cleared. All groups have other staff and volunteers who are qualified to at least FA level 1 in football coaching, which includes child protection and basic emergency aid.

All of the sessions take place locally in and around Milton Keynes, and the emphasis is always based on “Everyone plays.” When players are involved in competitive events representing MK Dons FC Disability they play in the Clubs kit and colours. They play against other local and professional clubs disability teams.

1) Special Needs Youth Club – This club is in its sixth year and is open to young people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties such as MLD. The age range is 13 years to 25 years, with most being in the 13 to 17 years age range. The group meets on Tuesday evenings at the Mathiesen Youth and Community Centre, Mathiesen Road, Bradville. The session begins at 7pm and includes one-hour football coaching in the sports hall. There is also an art room, television room, games room, coffee bar, and music. A number of other activities have been enjoyed by the group, including a trip to Barcelona. The group is run by MK Youth Service under the guidance of Mike Lister. Tel: 01908 315647.

2) MK Special Dons – A football club for young people age 6 years and upwards originally set up to cater for young people with physical disabilities and more severe learning difficulties. The group now also includes the SN Dons group that caters for young people with ADHD / EBD / MLD / and other behavioural difficulties. This group meets on Sundays 6:00pm to 7:00pm for Under 12’s and 7:00pm to 8:00pm for under 18’s in the MK Dons Academy Dome at Woughton on the Green. The sessions are lead by a MK Dons SET Coach and supported by other qualified volunteer coaches.  Contact Carol Head on 01908 526431 or Malcolm Poulton on 01908 330930 or 07588 588520

3) Winslow Dons – Adults with learning difficulties based at Winslow. The group meets for training on Monday afternoons on the Astroturf at the Winslow Centre, Winslow at 4:30pm to 5:30pm. The session is lead by MK Dons SET Coaches, and the group plays friendly small-sided games against similar opposition. Contact Alan Driver on 01908 501878

4) Combined Learning Disabilities Group – Adults 16years + with learning disabilities. This is a combined session that is open to all adults 16years and over with any form of disability. The group trains on Thursday afternoons 1:00pm to 2:00pm in the MK Dons Academy Dome at Woughton on the Green.  The sessions are lead by a MK Dons Education and Sports Trust coach supported by qualified MK Council Adults Disability Services staff. Contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

5) Impact Group - Adults 16years + with mental health problems, learning difficulties, or physical disabilities. The group meets for training on Thursday afternoons 2pm to 3pm in the MK Dons Academy Dome at Woughton on the Green. This group is very mobile and consists of players with greater ability, speed of response, spacial awareness, with team and communication skills. Sessions are lead by a MK Dons SET coach. Contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

6) Premiership Disability Football – Adults 16years + with any form of disability. This group is highly skilled, mobile and with good communication, teamwork and spacial awareness. Most players at this level will be capable of playing mainstream football. The group trains on Thursday afternoons from 3pm to 4:30pm in the MK Dons Academy Dome. This group plays at the highest level of PAN Disability Football and will also play against mainstream teams. Contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

7) Deaf and hearing impaired football – Sessions are due to start February 23rd 2010 and will take place every Tuesday 1pm – 2pm. Sessions are to be held in the Academy Dome at Woughton on the Green. The session will be run by MK Dons Sport and Education Trust coaches but is also seeking volunteers to develop deaf football in Milton Keynes. For more information contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

8) Blind / V.I. football – MK Dons Sport and Education Trust is currently exploring the possibilities of offering football coaching for blind and visually impaired players. Anyone interested in participating or helping out as a volunteer should contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

9) Wheelchair Football – MK Dons Sport and Education Trust is working closely with Parkside FC to develop wheelchair football. The group meets on Tuesday evenings, 8pm to 9pm in the sports hall at Leon School and Sports College. Power chair and manual wheelchair users are invited to come along to join in or to observe the sessions. Wheelchair football is open to both genders and all ages. For more information please Contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Chris Merriman of Parkside Dons FC on 01908 501658.

10) Ladies Disability Football – This group has been established for ladies aged 16 years and over who have any form of disability / special needs including LD / VI / HI / Mental Health / Physical  Disability / Challenging Behaviour but does not include wheelchair users. The sessions are held on Thursdays 12pm to 1pm in the MK Dons Academy Dome. For more information please contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford at MK Dons SET on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675

11) Cerebral Palsy Football - Sessions are due to start February 23rd 2010 and will take place every Tuesday 2pm – 3pm at the Academy Dome in Milton Keynes. The session will be run by MK Dons Sport and Education Trust coaches but is also seeking volunteers to develop deaf football in Milton Keynes. For more information Contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675.

12) Cedars Coaching Academy – A football group for players with any form of disability (excluding wheelchair users) from the age of 5 – 19 years. The session takes place at Cedars Academy, Leighton Buzzard, on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30am – 11.30am. For more information please contact either Gary Adlington (Cedars Academy) 01525 219364 Karl White (MK Dons SET) 01908 622938 or 07595 280612 Les Dedman (Bedfordshire FA) 01582 565111

For more information on any of these projects, or for an informal chat about football activities for people with disabilities, please contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595 280612 or Dennis Woolford at MK Dons SET on 01908 622937 / 07958 728675