football4all was established in 2008 to further develop special needs and disability football programs of Football NSW. football4all creates a support network for volunteers, coaches, parents and players to get involved in football inclusion and experience all its benefits.
There are around 30 individual football4all club or association programs operating within Football NSW that offer the opportunity for players to enjoy football participation in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Local football clubs within NSW are running new football4all programs every year for players with disabilities, now is the time to play!
For opportunities to host or participate in a program and for more information please contact Charlotte Ercil, Community Game Development Officer on (02) 8814 4459 or via email
Annual Nova Employment Football4all Gala Day
Football NSW hosts an annual Nova Employment football4all gala day to provide a unique opportunity for players from all football4all programs and the community to come together and enjoy a day of football, fun and festivities with family and friends.
The football4all gala day experiences over 350 participants from our football4all programs and various disability service providers across New South Wales. The gala day provides players with a wonderful day of football at no expense in a carnival like atmosphere and non-competitive environment.
Off-field activities of the day include jumping castles, face painting, Shoot-out activations, NSW fire brigade and NSW Police Force, special guests including A-League and W-League players and members of our local community including Members of Parliament. The presentations are the highlight of the day with a gala day gold medal and show bag presented to all participants.
The past two football4all gala days saw the inclusion of Powerchair Football on the futsal courts. Powerchair Football is a sport designed for participants with quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke, spinal cord injury and other disabilities.
How to host a football4all program
- Focus on participation through physical activity, encouragement, social interaction, fun activities and the social enjoyment of the game.
- Offer skills, exercises, activities and modified games designed especially for players with disabilities.
- Games are usually played with modified rules on smaller fields for example, 5-a-side, 6-a-side or 7-a-side with reduced game times and unlimited interchange.
- Game leaders (or mentors) can assist players during activities and games. Parents can also be invited to play an integral part in their children’s involvement.
- Liaise with council and the association for field availability and accessibility.
- Programs can run from as little as 6 weeks and throughout the regular winter season.
- Games can be organised on an intra-club basis or as a regular inter-club gala day with no structured competition.
- Football4all clubs can run a regular competition against other teams in the association (dependent on association approval) or other against other football4all teams.
- Skills and activities are designed to be both interesting and challenging but without exceeding player abilities.
- Clubs are encouraged to have programs that are inclusive
