Our Comets programme provides a fun, safe and supportive introduction to football for children with disabilities or additional needs.

The sessions place enjoyment, confidence and belonging at the heart of everything we do. Activities can be adapted so that every child has an opportunity to participate, experience success and enjoy spending time with the ball.

Comets is about much more than learning football skills. It provides children with opportunities to:

• Take part in fun and inclusive football activities
• Develop balance, movement and coordination
• Improve their confidence and independence
• Develop communication and social skills
• Make friends and feel part of a team
• Learn at a pace appropriate to their individual needs
• Become part of the wider Maypole FC community

We want every child attending Comets to feel welcomed, valued and celebrated for what they can do.

Comets is the starting point of the inclusive pathway we are working to create at Maypole FC.

Our long-term ambition is to provide opportunities beyond introductory sessions so that players can continue enjoying football as they grow older. We do not want children to reach the end of one programme and find that there is nowhere for them to progress.

Our vision is to develop a pathway that includes:

Comets → Inclusive Development Sessions → Pan-Disability Team Football → Adult Inclusive Football

As participation grows, we aim to create age-appropriate development groups and pan-disability teams, providing players with opportunities to train regularly, represent Maypole FC and participate in suitable fixtures, festivals and competitions.

We want to build the pathway carefully and sustainably, ensuring that each new opportunity is supported by appropriately qualified coaches, suitable facilities and an environment in which player welfare remains the priority.