An Oxford football club has opened its doors to children with disabilities for a taster session, after an organiser concluded there were not enough similar opportunities in the area.
The free event, organised by Oxford Blackbirds FC, will take place at the Blackbird Leys leisure centre on Sunday, November 26 from 11.30am to 1pm.
It is being run for boys and girls aged 5-11 "of all abilities regardless of learning or physical disability".
The club said it has joined forces with Fusion, Oxford City Council and event sponsor, the Kelly Jackson Memorial Fund.
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Club committee member and coach for the under-12 girls team, Kirsty Greenough, said: "Everyone should have the chance to play the game, be involved and have fun.
"We're just so happy that we've been given this opportunity and we've got to thank everybody, especially the Kelly Jackson Memorial fund who offered to sponsor us so quickly.
"It's like the whole community is coming together to make this work."
Ms Greenough added that the closest other club running a similarly inclusive football event was Bure Park in Bicester which she suggested was a long way to travel to for those not living in the area.
She said that there were also some events run in Summertown catered more towards children with cerebral palsy.
"My daughter has medical complex needs and is disabled so this is very close to my heart as it has been difficult for her to get into the game that she truly loves," she added.
The club has teamed up with the Oxfordshire FA as well as Bure Park disability ambassador Adam Robinson to organise the taster session.
It added that attendees on the day could expect to meet several coaches, have a "fun time", play a few games and that parents and children would have the chance to meet each other.
Another Blackbirds FC committee member, Barrie Evans, said: "This is great news for the area for kids with disabilities as we have researched and found that others have to travel far to get to the nearest event like this."
Ms Greenough concluded that there had already been a lot of interest and questions from parents with over 200 shares for the event on Facebook.
She said: "I'm overwhelmed by it all to be honest but it just shows that it was needed in the community and that giving children the opportunity to be part of football is amazing.
"This sort of thing is 100 per cent lacking in our area.
"In our community I think there is literally nothing else like this that we can feel is out there for children."
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