On Thursday 23rd October, Middlesex County Football Association arranged the first set of fixtures dedicated to students at College in the inaugural MCFA Colleges Leagues at Powerleague (Barnet). The competition was attended by teams from both the North and West of the County and are a starting point for a monthly fixture programme. This opportunity is made possible in Middlesex through the tremendous support of Harrow based company Munnelly Support Services Limited in partnership with the Football Foundation and Sportsmatch.
The fixtures currently take place at Powerleague in Barnet and provide those who enter the opportunity to play in a structured League system in and around the County of Middlesex.
The inaugural fixtures saw teams entered from Colleges in Barnet and West London for players of varying abilities. These teams were able to enjoy a handful of fixtures which were organised by the Middlesex County Football Association.
In these first set of fixtures, teams were given the opportunity to play against each other to replicate competitions currently enjoyed by mainstream College teams. With further interest from a handful of additional teams, the League looks like it will expand in the future to increase the competition available. It is hoped that over the course of the season that the League will be split into a Northern and Western section to make travelling easier for those involved.
Working to a clear strategy in partnership with the London Sports Forum for Disabled People, the Middlesex County Football Association is building a player pathway for all players with disabilities to be able to access. This builds on the existing MCFA Special Educational Needs Schools League, offering youngsters the chance to participate regularly, the MCFA Emotional Behavioural Difficulties League, offering youngsters the chance to play in dedicated matches every month, the MCFA PAN Disability County League, for offering a competitive League structure for adult and youth teams every month and the soon to be established FA Centre of Excellence which aims to develop the best players between 10 and 17 years old.
If you are interested in finding out more information about the MCFAÂ Colleges League or any other information regarding football development for people with disabilities please call Jon Whittingham on 020 8515 6904.