“Giving opportunities to disabled young people is a passion. I am so happy to have the opportunity from Access Sport to provide my brother and his friends a place to feel comfortable and safe whilst they play football together.”

In a collaboration between Access Sport, Trafford Council, and Partington Well-being and Community Centre, Partington Friday Night Football was launched in November 2024.

Taking place every Friday evening at Partington Sports Village, the sessions have been supported by 16-year-old Young Leader, Dylan, who has helped over 35 children to get involved and stay involved in football.

Dylan, whose brother has Down syndrome, is passionate about providing opportunities for children with all disabilities to access inclusive sports opportunities.

Access Sport has provided Dylan with Disability Inclusion Training to help him build his confidence in supporting disabled young people, alongside providing funding to enable the project to run without a financial burden on parents.

Through this funding commitment, Dylan now benefits from a paid coaching role at Partington Friday Night Football as a casual coach. This has also enabled Dylan to pursue paid coaching opportunities elsewhere.

The growth of the sessions has been amazing; this is largely down to Dylan's passion and communication skills, key areas that have been developed through training and shadowing Access Sport Community Coordinators.

As a resident living in Partington, Dylan's life skills and prospects have improved through the support and opportunities offered to him by Access Sport. This has also led to a real sense of belonging for Dylan, made possible through increasing his connections with others in the local community.

Dylan has now begun a career in youth work and credits the opportunities provided to him by Access Sport as defining moments, helping him forge a career in something he is passionate about.

Dylan's work with Access Sport has also helped him secure a role with Greater Manchester Youth Federation, based in Partington, where he supports the young people he originally connected with through Partington Friday Night Football.