Creating Space to Belong: Inclusive Football at Fulham FC

In a powerful step towards making football truly accessible to all, last weekend the Fulham FC Foundation launched a dedicated football session for children, young people and adults with dwarfism - delivered in partnership with the Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAUK). We spoke with Katy Shephard, Senior DisAbility Development Manager at Fulham Football Club, about this important initiative which could serve as a great model and example for others.

Creating Space Where It’s Been Missing

Katy, what motivated Fulham FC Foundation to start a football session for young people and children with disabilities?

Fulham FC Foundation is committed to ensuring football is accessible to everyone in our community. While we already deliver a range of inclusive and disability programmes, we recognised that there were very limited tailored opportunities specifically for children, young people and adults with dwarfism. We developed this initiative in partnership with the Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAUK), who identified a clear need for a London-based football session dedicated to individuals with dwarfism. Through conversations with DSA and families, it became evident that specialist provision in the capital was limited, and that there was strong demand for a safe and inclusive football environment.

How many young athletes with disabilities participated in the session?

For our inaugural session at Fulham FC Training Ground, delivered in partnership with the DSAUK, we had 15 participants aged five through to adults.

How did you engage with the community and reach the families and individuals who may not traditionally have access to football programmes?

The programme began through a dialogue with the DSAUK, who highlighted the absence of London-based football provision for individuals with dwarfism. By working collaboratively and promoting the session through DSA networks, community contacts and club channels, we were able to reach families who may not typically access mainstream football pathways. Ongoing consultation remains central as we move towards quarterly sessions and work towards integrating the programme into our monthly DisAbility-specific calendar.

Designed Around Inclusion and Safety

How was the session designed to ensure the young athletes are safe, inclusive and enjoyable for all the players?

Working closely with the DSAUK enabled Fulham FC Foundation to shape a session model informed by lived experience. From the outset, safety, inclusion and enjoyment were placed at the heart of the design. Coaches trained in inclusive delivery and safeguarding led sessions that included:

Adapted small-sided games and age-appropriate groupings
Modified pitch dimensions where appropriate
A participant-centred coaching approach

Rather than adapting mainstream football as an afterthought, the session was built intentionally around the needs of players with dwarfism - ensuring that every participant could engage confidently and comfortably. We also surveyed the players from the first session, which reinforced the success of this approach:

100% said they felt welcome, safe, inspired and engaged
100% said their confidence and self-esteem improved
100% said their mental wellbeing improved

Participants and parents also shared their feedback, saying:

“I felt welcome and was very happy being there.”
“The facility and environment were great and enjoyable.”
“My son had a great time. It was a brilliant experience from start to finish and everyone was incredibly welcoming.”

This feedback confirms that the environment created at Fulham FC Training Ground was not only safe - it was also empowering.

What impact have you experienced and observed on participants and their families?

Even after just one session, the impact has been both measurable and meaningful. Survey results showed that:

100% said their confidence and self-esteem improved
100% said their mental wellbeing improved
86% made new friends and social connections
86% said their physical health improved
71% said their football skills improved

One of the most powerful themes was belonging. For many children, it was a rare opportunity to play football alongside others with dwarfism in a structured environment.

The participants said:

“Playing with other kids my size.”
“I liked seeing my friends and also meeting new people.”
“Inclusive.”

The parents also shared:

“Seeing the children really enjoy the sessions and meeting new and old parents.”
“My child loved the experience!”
“Thank you for making us all feel very welcome — it was a great session.”

When asked how playing at Fulham FC Training Ground made them feel, participants said that it felt exciting to play at and see a glimpse of a Premier League training ground. For families, being welcomed into a professional football environment reinforced a powerful message: this community belongs in elite football spaces too.

A Responsibility to Lead

What responsibility do professional football clubs and foundations have in making sport accessible and inclusive to everyone?

Professional clubs have significant influence and visibility. With that comes responsibility. When 100% of participants report having improved mental wellbeing, feeling safe, inspired and confident, it reinforces the transformative potential of accessible football provision. Clubs and Foundations have the platform to remove barriers, challenge perceptions and create spaces where every player feels they belong in the game.

The success of this programme demonstrates what is possible when clubs collaborate with specialist organisations. To move from quarterly sessions to full monthly integration, long-term funding, strategic prioritisation of inclusion, and continued partnership support will be essential. Inclusion must be embedded within operational planning rather than delivered as a standalone initiative.

Looking Ahead

What are your ambitions for expanding this initiative/programme in the future?

Following the success and measurable impact of our first session, our immediate ambition is to establish this as a quarterly programme at Fulham FC Training Ground, continuing our partnership with the DSAUK. Within the next 12 months, we aim to integrate these sessions into our monthly DisAbility-specific programme, ensuring consistent and sustainable access. Moving on from this, we would also hope to increase participation numbers, develop progression opportunities, strengthen partnerships with DSA and explore inclusive festivals or tournament opportunities.

What advice would you give to other clubs or organisations looking to start similar inclusive initiatives or programmes?

Start by listening to the community and working with specialist partners such as the Dwarf Sports Association. Design programmes around lived experience. Prioritise sustainability from the outset. Invest in coach education and safeguarding. And ensure that inclusion is embedded into your wider programme calendar rather than treated as a one-off event.

Reflecting on the experience, Katy Shephard adds:

“Organising this event was brilliant. Being able to provide a quality session for these players and give them a chance to see the facilities and play football with their peers was really special. For some, it was their first time playing football, and for others it was a chance to reconnect with friends and familiar faces from other sessions or DSA events. I had a great afternoon myself and can’t wait for the next one.”

Strengthening a National Pathway for Inclusion

We also asked Mike Pope, National Partnership Officer at the Dwarf Sports Association UK, about how the initiative connects to DSAUK’s wider national programme:

Mike, how does the initiative led by Fulham FC Foundation connect to the DSAUK national programme and its broader objectives?

DSAUK’s mission is to make sport accessible, welcoming and genuinely enjoyable for people with restricted growth. But for many years, football opportunities specifically designed for players with dwarfism have been limited. As a result, individuals often struggle to find local clubs that meet their needs, and some step away from the game altogether when mainstream football no longer feels inclusive. That is why partnerships with organisations such as the Fulham FC Foundation are so significant. Dedicated sessions like this not only provide consistent opportunities to play and build confidence, but they also increase visibility and help create clearer pathways from grassroots participation into DSAUK’s wider national events programme.

Mike Pope reflects on the session:

“Huge thanks to Katy and the Fulham Football Foundation for hosting and delivering such a brilliant session. Seeing 15 individuals come together really highlights both the need and the appetite for inclusive football for people with dwarfism, especially here in London. Days like this show just how powerful accessible sport can be, and how intentional collaboration can transform inclusion from aspiration into action, creating spaces where every player truly belongs.”

At Para Football, we’re inspired by initiatives like this that demonstrate what’s possible when clubs embed inclusion into their operations. The Fulham FC Foundation’s partnership with DSAUK shows how intentional collaboration can create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact - and serves as a powerful example for clubs worldwide.

Creating Space to Belong: Inclusive Football at Fulham FC