Currently there is the opportunity to play at the following levels:
Step 1: Schools Festivals
Organised by Gareth Jones at Watford Community Sports & Education Trust, the regular schools festivals take place on an annual basis
Step 2: Hertfordshire Inclusive Football League (HiFL)
HiFL was established in 2009-2010 and is the progression from the disability festivals that took place previously. The league runs on the 2nd Sunday of every month during the season and has divisions at U12 mixed, U16 boys and Adult Male.
Step 3: Regional Leagues
Watford FC currently play in the FA East Region Ability Counts league and play fixtures in Cambridgeshire on a regular basis.
Step 4: Centre of Excellence
Hertfordshire FA and Watford FC are currently in the planning stages for developing a disability specific centre of excellence that will focus on the U14 & U17 age groups. Details of the centre will be provided on HFA.com in the near future.
Step 5: National Squads
There are eight international disability squads for players with differing kinds of disabilities. These are: Blind, Partially Sighted, Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Cerebal Palsy, Learning Disabilities, Amputee. With regular fixtures, training camps and international competitions, this is the pinnacle of all football for any disability player.
For more information on the current player pathway please contact Joe Goude by e-mail by clicking here.