In the first of our features meeting up with some of Disability Football’s fantastic supporters, we caught up with Liam Kay, who many of you will have seen in and around many of the SYACL clubs. Liam has a wealth of experience at every level of the game, so our Website editor Margaret Gregory caught up with him.

Liam during his time @ L A Galaxy

Margaret started by asking Liam to share a potted history of his career and how he came to be involved in coaching and mentoring.

Liam explained, “I have had a passion for football all my life. I was fortunate enough to represent and Captain Rotherham School Boys and played at Aston Villa and Barnsley FC as a youth player. I had a little time playing semi-professional football at Emley FC after coming back from a bad knee injury – but that was cut short due to me snapping my ACL a second time and dislocating my knee. Ronnie Glavin who was the Manager at the time suggested that I tried coaching – as playing was no longer an option. I was really fortunate that I had many coaches who would let me help at sessions, observe sessions and mentor me as a coach.”

Liam continued, “I have coached in Europe and the USA; and I have worked at professional clubs Barnsley FC and Manchester City, both coaching and scouting. For the last three years I have been scouting for Manchester United.”

“I have been an FA Mentor for 5 years, supporting grassroot coaches which is a great role. I have since spent two seasons as the Disability FA mentor; this involved working with local clubs, looking at the club’s philosophies, and supporting and developing coaches.”

“I have also been involved in the England Talent ID events in the North of England, identifying talent for the national team.”

Margaret then asked, “Tell us a little about your scouting role at Manchester United.” 

Liam replied, “I’m Academy scout – I will go into professional football clubs and do match reports or player reports and feed these back to Manchester United.”

Margaret, “You’ve made a fantastic contribution to the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League, Liam. Tell us a little about your involvement in coaching with the League and what your priorities have been.”

Liam, “I was allocated hours from the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA to go and support Disability teams. I have loved the role and I have met some great coaches along the way. Hopefully, the project will get the funding for next season as it helps many coaches and players.”

“I helped clubs develop a philosophy, scheme of works, session planning, CPD events, and supported coaches either to gain qualifications or give them new ideas.”

Margaret, “What would you say are the most important aspects of coaching people living with disabilities?

Liam, “Always be clear on your instructions and have good patience. Don’t underestimate the standard of the players when planning a session and make it fun!!!”

Margaret, “Finally, Liam, what would you say to anyone considering becoming involved with disability football? 

 Liam, “Do it!!! it’s rewarding, and support is always here if you need it! “

The SYACL would like to thank Liam for his fantastic support and for giving up his time to talk to our Website.

The FA has asked that we again emphasis the League’s position regarding spectators in anticipation of the restart of competitive football.

The first note is aimed more specifically at League Officials and we published that in an earlier blog, but it does provide some useful background to the standards expected by the FA to ensure a safe restart, and describes some of the changes to match day protocols.

The second guidance note is probably more familiar to the SYACL teams but provides more, useful information on hygiene practice during training sessions and during competitive play.

Clubs are reminded of the importance of completing their Risk Assessment documents for use within their own clubs.

If you are unsure of any rulings, please follow the links below;

https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/jul/17/grassroots-guidance-for-competitive-football-restart-in-england-170720

https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/jun/01/grassroots-football-covid-19-guidance-update-010620

It appears that many people, especially those not connected to the disabled community, are still unaware of the Sunflower Lanyard, the sign of a hidden disability.  This lanyard exempts the wearer from wearing a mask.

Read this ladies experience:

Something has been bugging me. Tom and I went for a coffee yesterday; we ordered with our masks on and sat inside the shop to enjoy it (masks off). Another customer comes in without a mask, orders his coffee and cake and goes to sit outside. The lady behind makes a comment about everyone should be wearing masks, the staff back her up. If they looked at the man again, they would have seen he was wearing a bright green lanyard covered in sunflowers, it’s really hard to miss. This lanyard indicates that this man has a hidden disability and is possibly unable to wear a mask.
I hope that it was just a case of the staff not knowing about this as well as the lady who made the loud comment. I wish I had spoken up but I also didn’t want to shout across the coffee shop that the man had a disability. Perhaps we need to spread the message, especially to shops etc what this lanyard means.

If you didn’t know, look at the link:
https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com

Not all disabilities are visible – some are hidden and not immediately obvious, such as learning difficulties, mental health as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments. Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many people, but it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge or understand the challenges you face.

Be visible when you want to be

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time.

Listen to Daisy’s sunflower story and help to educate everyone in your circle just what it means.

Coming soon it’s FA guidance update on new regulations for football, exclusive interviews with Liam Kay & Craig Denton.

Keep watching, more interviews are in the pipeline. 

Welcome to the home of the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League!

Today sees the start of a website dedicated to the SYACL- a competitive football league for players living with physical or learning disabilities.

We’ll cover the latest news – including updates on the impact of Covid-19 on our League match reports and features on the teams, coaches and supporters.

Of course we need your help. If you have something you’d like to share with the League please let us know by using our contact details.

Thanks for your fantastic support !

 

Morning everyone, for our first post I would like to share a letter that has been sent out to football clubs clarifying the situation re football games/ friendlies/ training.

Also if you now put SYACL.com into your browser you will come directly to our site. Saves typing the full name in, hope it’s a help.

To: All Step 1-6 National League System Leagues & Clubs
All Regional NLS Feeder Leagues & Clubs

We are writing to you today to provide some further clarity around the current position on spectators at pre-season matches.

The guidance released by The FA on Saturday, 18th July was clear that all friendlies with National League System Clubs should be played behind closed doors. This has not changed. Whilst it is difficult to restrict spectators at a grassroots football fixture on a public recreation ground, this spectator guidance relates to low level numbers such as parents at a youth fixture in discrete six person gatherings and spread out.
Over the weekend, as clubs returned to pre-season competitive fixtures, we understand some fixtures were played with spectators and, in a small number of cases, with a crowd in excess of 100.

The guidance regarding gatherings is a clear Government issued position and as such we must re-emphasise that ALL National League System pre-season fixtures should be played behind closed doors.
Due to evidence received over this weekend we now need to extend behind closed doors to Regional NLS Feeder League Clubs (Step 7) and this will also apply to preseason matches played in an NLS or Regional NLS Feeder League ground including, for example, County FA or League Cup Finals.

Some Clubs and Leagues have also asked for further clarity on a couple of specific areas and we hope the following will be of use.
– ALL friendlies involving Step 1 to Regional NLS Feeder Leagues Clubs should be played behind closed doors, until further notice.
– ALL pre-season or other matches held at Step 1 to Regional NLS Feeder League grounds, including, for example, all County FA and League Cup Finals, should be played behind closed doors, until further notice.
– Clubs can operate their Clubhouses in accordance with Government hospitality guidance – but there should be no entry to the ground for spectators. Spectator and Hospitality guidance is covered separately by Government.
– Friendlies or other matches can have others not involved ‘on the pitch’ in the ground and this can provide for essential Club Officials only or, where an under 18 is playing in the fixture, a parent or guardian to fulfil safeguarding requirements. All must observe
social distancing.The FA re-submitted a proposal for spectators at National League System & Women’s Pyramid games to DCMS. You will be aware that Government suspended the test events for the return of spectators under Stage 5 of the Elite Sport Protocols, which much of the NLS does not fall under. As such, we are continuing our dialogue with DCMS separately to the Stage 5 pilot project. The suspension however of the Pilot Events which had low spectator numbers shows that the Government are sensitive to crowds of all sizes and as such, crowds at
pre-season matches does put the longer term supporter strategies at risk.
We are working continuously with the Sports Ground Safety Authority, DCMS, Leagues and colleagues within The FA to bring ultimate guidance for spectators to return as soon as possible. We are still hopeful of meeting the timescale outlined in our initial guidance, but
we do need to do so with the approval or support from Government and therefore during this time ask for your support.
We will write again as and when we have further DCMS clarification.
Kind Regards,

Laurence C Jones
Head of National League System