David Akintola visits Disability Walking Football Session during National Inclusion Week

 

These inclusive sessions are tailored for adults (18+) with additional needs due to disability, offering far more than just physical activity. They provide a welcoming space for social interaction and community building. Held every Wednesday at the Tigers Trust Arena, the sessions regularly attract great numbers to enjoy the beautiful game in an inclusive environment. 

 

David’s visit was a highlight for everyone involved. He enthusiastically joined one of the teams, much to the delight of the players, and made a genuine effort to ensure every participant felt involved, helping them pass the ball and making sure everyone had a chance to touch it before scoring. 

 

This week marks National Inclusion Week which celebrates diversity and promotes awareness of the importance of inclusion. David embodied this spirit throughout the session and continued to engage with attendees afterwards by taking part in a Hull City-themed quiz, bringing smiles and laughter to all. 

 

Speaking about heading down to the Tigers Trust Arena, David said: “I found it very fun,it was good to mingle with the fans outside the stadium and just have conversations with some of them 

 

“I think it’s a very wonderful thing, to be able to give the opportunity for people who come to support us every time and people in the city also. The opportunity to mingle with some players, I hope they will continue because I think every player would like to get involved and mingle with these guys, have fun with them, to me this is very amazing. 

 

“I find (disability walking football) very fun, you know it was a little bit hard not to run but at the end of the day it’s a mixture, they have fun because you know for them it is a good experience because every time they watch us on the field they want to feel we do each time, to be able to do it together here today, it was good!” 

 

Disability Community Engagement Officer Rob Johnson explained about the sessions and the positive impact they have on the local community: “It’s an inclusive Walking Football Session, the idea is basically come down have a bit of a laugh, bit of fun, bit more of a slow pace than a normal football session, then we have a social side of it as well, cup of tea, biscuits afterwards. 

 

“The sessions have been running for about 18 months now, so when we first set off, we maybe had four or five participants weekly and then just built up from there, now we get a regular thirty-five or forty participants a week. 

 

“It has a really positive impact on the participants, they love coming down and just having a laugh. We try not to make it as competitive which I think they really enjoy and then the social side as I say is a real highlight of my week and also being the highlight of theirs as well. 

 

“The carers come down, they are more than welcome to come and join in, but I think they do like to step back and just give them that time that they can see their young people take part in something and have such a laugh and such a great time, so its really good for them to see that 

 

“We always try and engage and the way we do it is by getting involved and showing we can have fun as much as they can, so I think this helps us with barriers.” 

 

Speaking about the importance of the sessions tying in with National Inclusion Week, Rob commented: “(the sessions) are not competitive, it doesn’t matter if we win, lose or draw, it’s about having fun and just building those friendships and teamwork, so I think that fights the isolation quite well.” 

 

While speaking about David’s visit, Rob mentioned: “It was fantastic, its great when the players come down, it shows that connection with the Trust and for the participants, it the highlight of the year for them, he was brilliant getting involved with all the players on his team as well as he teams he was playing against, just really good to see him down here and have a positive impact on them.” 

 

A huge thank you to David for visiting our particpants and creating a memorable experience! 

 

If you would to find out more about the Tigers Trust Disability Walking Football sessions, please click here