Talent Pathway
Helping disabled footballers reach their potential
The FA’s Disability Talent Strategy 17-21 aims to reach and develop players with potential from a 'hard to reach group.'
The individual development and progression of these players within a fluid and non-linear pathway is the cornerstone of this strategy.
The FA will adopt a new way of working which will build upon successes and lessons learnt within the 13-17 Whole Sport Plan cycle whilst focusing on the implementation of innovative identification methods and ‘bespoke’ support programmes to each and every player.
The strategy aims to secure partner funding which will ‘unlock’ the wider FA investment and support cited throughout.
Additionally, football family and partner support will be crucial if the targets set and the planned impact on senior England Elite Disability Football Squads are to be realised.
The strategy will also ensure that partnerships with Sport England, TASS, Sports Aid and other external bodies are meaningful.
England and Great Britain elite impairment-specific squads
The FA supports the delivery of England elite impairment-specific squads for blind players, partially-sighted players, players with cerebral palsy, powerchair footballers and deaf players.
These squads compete in European and world competitions on a cyclical basis.
The FA also takes responsibility for the Great Britain Disability Football Association, which in turn supports the participation of the Great Britain blind team in Paralympic Games.
Cerebral palsy football international player pathway & competition structures
The IFCPF (International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football) is the international federation that oversees cerebral palsy football.
There are European and World Championships played every four years, while the FA oversees a male England CP international squad.
Blind football international player pathway & competition structures
The IBSA is the international federation that oversees blind football. European championships are held every two years, with World Championships held every four years.
Blind football is also currently the only format of football played at the Paralympic Games, having first appeared in Beijing 2008.
The FA oversees and funds a full-time male blind international squad.
Deaf football international player pathway & competition structures
There are deaf football European and World Championships (futsal) held every four years which are entered by England male and female international squads. The Deaflympics are held every four years as well.
Powerchair football international player pathway & competition structures
The FIPFA is the international federation that oversees powerchair football, and there are European and World Championships every four years.
The FA oversees a mixed-gender England international team.
