We Are Pleased To Announce that the Trust have taken over the running of the Bedfordshire FA's 'Ability Counts Premier League'.

With the ambition to engage more player participation and the success of the Trust’s disability programme in recent years, the move will provide an exciting new opportunity for players with mild learning disabilities unable to play in the current affiliated Leagues format. The Ability Counts Premier League will join the Trusts competitive Luton Street League games programme and integrate players from both leagues in a truly unique format where all players compete on an equal footing.

Vicky Wilson (LTFC Community Trust) commented: “as a Trust, we are passionate about using football to promote inclusion and equality for people of all abilities within our community. This initiative is a great example of social inclusion in such a special and diverse town.”

Every Friday the Trust already host ‘Luton Street League’ sessions at the Beds FA AGP, for players to turn up and play against each other all evening. Now through this unique partnership, once a month these sessions will now become the official Ability Counts Premier League with recorded results shown on the FA’s Full-Time website.

Josh Spavins (FDO at Beds FA) said: “as a County FA, we are extremely proud of our 'ability counts' football league formats. The Premier League Level has had a few adventures nationally over the years, especially in the Peoples Cup with Luton Town FC but this partnership with Luton Town FC Community Trust is an exciting development for the future that we see increasing the playing opportunities for players irrespective of their circumstances and on an equal footing for everyone.

Luton Street League is part of the Trusts Community Led Local Development (CLLD) project funded by the European Social Fund in conjunction with Luton Borough Council which seeks to ecourage inclusion through football.

Daniel Douglas, Community Operations manager at the Trust who overseas the Luton Street League projects commented 'this is a truly unique and fantastic format where players only recognise each others playing ability while also recognising that some players may face challenges in day to day life. I can't think of a better example of the power of football to bring people together and it is truly inspiring to see the comaradre amongst the boys both on and off the pitch.'

If you have not experienced ability premier football before, it is simply a chance to play competitive football and meet new people that have similar life experiences to yourself. Added to that will be the benefits of access to support and valuable workshops on topics such as mental health and basic employability skills.

"Ability Counts Premier league - much more than just a football league."

STREET LEAGUE
Every FRIDAY from 18:00 to 20:00
FREE for all participants (16+)
Beds FA, Skimpot Road, Dunstable, LU5 4JU

ABILITY COUNTS PREM DATES:

2019
FRI 25 OCT --- FRI 22 NOV --- FRI 20 DEC 2019

2020
FRI 24 JAN --- FRI 21 FEB--- FRI 20 MAR 2020
FRI 17 APR --- FINAL in MAY 2020

CONTACT + REGISTER
Vicky Wilson | 01582 561622 | [email protected]