The Suffolk Football Association (Suffolk FA) is hosting a free, three-hour “Journey to Inclusion” workshop on 26 February 2026 to help grassroots clubs in Haverhill and West Suffolk create more opportunities for players with disabilities. The event will run from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and will be held at Suffolk FA’s training facility in Ipswich (the association’s headquarters remain in Stowmarket).
Coaches and volunteers from local clubs such as Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough will receive practical advice on delivering inclusive on-pitch drills and managing sessions. The workshop uses England Football’s Disability Training for Clubs (the “Journey to Inclusion” toolkit), which helps clubs self-assess their current provision and identify changes to better support disabled players.
The initiative aims to address local shortages of specialist disability coaching across West Suffolk and to embed disability football as a normal part of club activity rather than a bolt-on. It supports The FA’s national “Football Your Way” disability strategy (2021–24), which seeks to increase opportunities for disabled people to play in their local communities.
Attendees will also be given guidance on funding, including how to apply for the Disability Football Development Fund and other grant streams to help cover equipment and pitch costs. Local residents who want to help start a new team or develop existing provision can find registration and event details on the Suffolk FA website.
