The FA has today announced an ambitious new four-year strategy for disability football in England, titled Football Without Limits, setting out plans to grow disability football participation by more than a third.

This follows the announcement of the new 2024-28 strategy, ‘Inspiring Positive Change Through Football’, to take English football forward, with a clear focus on the biggest opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed.

The new Football Without Limits strategy marks an important milestone in the ongoing commitment to drive positive change in para and disability football. To realise this vision, The FA have developed a comprehensive long-term plan focused on seven key pillars:

1. Disability Football Participation: Expanding access and opportunities for disabled people to participate in football.
2. The FA Disability Cup: Maintaining the FA Disability Cup as the premier competition in impairment-specific formats.
3. Para Team Pathway: Supporting players in transitioning to England Para teams with a positive experience.
4. England Para Teams: Developing competitive England Para teams for international success.
5. Coach Development: Establishing England Football Learning as the primary resource for coaches of disabled footballers.
6. Marketing & Communications: Enhancing nationwide support and visibility for grassroots Disability Football.
7. Partnerships: Securing funding to bolster Disability Football initiatives and support England Para teams in major tournaments.

One of the strategy’s key aims is to increase the number of players by more than a third across all Disability Football formats, reaching 28,300 registered disabled players by 2028. To help achieve this, the aim is to provide further opportunities for disabled people to have access to local grassroots clubs tailored to their needs, including upscaling the new Comets programme.

Comets is a new pan-disability programme by England Football for children aged 5-11 years old, providing a safe space for children to kick start their football journey. At present, there are around 150 registered Comets providers across England.

Pan-disability football is the most inclusive format of the sport, bringing together players with a wide variety of disabilities and health conditions. Comets introduces a fresh, adaptable, and welcoming approach to the game, focusing on enjoyment, building friendships, and simply having fun.

Two key objectives have been identified to help the Comets programme grow:

1. Increase the number of grassroots providers: This aims to expand the network of community-based organisations, coaches who deliver the program, ensuring greater accessibility and reach at the local level. By empowering more providers, the program can tap into diverse communities and create more opportunities for participation.
2. Boost attendance and raise awareness: The goal is to attract more participants and foster a greater understanding of the program's benefits. Through community engagement, the program seeks to engage a wider audience, encouraging more people to take part while building a strong, recognisable presence.

Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, said: “This new four-year strategy sets out our long-term vision and commitment to grow disability football across England. We want to ensure that everyone has the choice and inspiration to play football regardless of age, background or ability. Our new strategy will increase participation opportunities, provide more support for coaches, and through our talent pathways, develop England Para teams for international success.”
Catherine Gilby, head of para performance at the FA, added: "Our new landmark disability football strategy presents both the opportunity and responsibility to create meaningful change in this important area of our game. With the next phase of the four-year Football Without Limits strategy, we can nurture and grow key elements which support the growth of disability football, while giving children, participants and elite players the opportunity to reach their full potential. We believe this approach will help to drive world-class performances that can inspire the next generation of aspiring Para footballers to represent England on the world stage."

Louise Gear, head of development at the FA, said: "We believe that people of all ages and abilities should have the chance to experience and enjoy football, and through pan-disability programmes like Comets, we are able to create those opportunities. We will be able to give children aged 5-11 the safe space and support to get involved and experience football tailored to their needs. It’s encouraging to see participation growing, and over the next four years, we plan to increase the number and variety of ways to play. We're committed to helping schools and grassroots clubs strengthen their disability football offerings, both on and off the field, ensuring football is truly open to everyone."

Find out more information on local Comets sessions or how to become a Comets provider by clicking here

Related Documents

THE FA Disability Football Strategy 2024-28

The FA Disability Football Strategy 2024-28 (Screen Read)

The FA DISABILITY FOOTBALL STRATEGY 2024-28 (Easy READ)