Take a look at some of the incredible work being done to make physical activity accessible for all in the Liverpool City Region.
While mixed-gender disability football sessions have existed for years, they haven’t always felt like the right fit for every girl.
Wirral Phoenix, an independent women and girls’ football club, decided to look closer at who was missing from the pitch and why.
The spark for this work came from the sidelines of school PE lessons.
Laura Holmes, a former PE teacher who now works for Cheshire FA and coaches for Wirral Phoenix, noticed a recurring pattern. “I saw a lot of girls who were interested in playing, but they didn’t know what clubs had opportunities,” Laura explains.
While disability sessions were “popping up” across the region, they were almost exclusively mixed-gender. For many girls with additional needs, these environments could feel loud, male-dominated, and overwhelming.
The club realised that for these girls to truly settle into the game, they needed a space designed specifically for them.
The real impact of the “Comets” programme – a pan-disability session for girls – is best seen in the personal transformations of the players.
For Poppy, the sessions have provided a vital space where she doesn’t feel left behind. Her parent explains that “she struggles keeping up with kids her own age, so this has given her a massive confidence boost.”
Though Poppy was initially reluctant to attend, the supportive environment won her over: “The first week Poppy didn’t want to come – she thought she wouldn’t be able to do it – but when we left the session her words were, ‘that was fabulous, I think I will go back.'”
The sessions also prioritise acceptance over performance. Harper’s mother notes that there is “nothing else like it that she can go to” that is suitable for her needs.
“She can’t talk yet, but the coaches understand her… this shows how special these sessions are, that no words are needed but my daughter feels so comfortable and accepted enough to be herself.”
Adam Wood, the club chair, recalls another girl whose involvement has shifted from the sidelines to the center of the action.
“I know she said she just ended up playing with the cones last time, but now she’s actually involved with the football,” he says. “Maybe it might have been just a bit overwhelming before with the high numbers, but now she’s trying to get involved”.
Beyond the players, the programme is building a collective community. Laura has observed parents building their own support networks on the sidelines, while Adam notes that older siblings are joining in, turning the sessions into a full-family experience
Starting a girls-only disability session was a risk.
By narrowing the target audience so specifically, the club knew engagement would be a challenge. “It’s a small target group to aim at,” Laura explains. While the sessions are currently small with a handful of regular participants, the club is committed to nurturing them for the long term.
The club also challenged the financial status quo. Families with children who have additional needs often face a greater financial burden.
While the FA provides some initial funding, Wirral Phoenix has kept session costs at just £3 to ensure accessibility. Their ultimate goal is even bigger: finding a long-term sponsor to make the sessions completely free.
Because the sessions have only been running since January 2026, the club is drawing on its broader experience to keep the vision alive. In their younger “Wildcats” sessions, they’ve seen the long-term power of this patient approach.
“We’ve had some girls that have maybe been a little bit teary because they were nervous and shy,” Laura says. “But football has really helped them develop as a person. They’ve grown in confidence and they’re able to make more friends”.
Wirral Phoenix didn’t try to go it alone. They built a deliberate partnership with Clare Mount, a specialised secondary school. This gave them access to a facility designed for additional needs, with a discounted rate that helps the programme stay sustainable.
The club’s technical foundation is reinforced by four years of growth in their youth section, which has expanded from a single Under-11s team to nine FA-registered teams and 200 female participants.
The setup for the Comets is unique though, to ensure it’s tailored to meet a variety of needs:
Success is measured by the “player pathway”. The club is working toward a future where a girl can start at “Wildcats,” move into “Comets,” and eventually play for a competitive pan-disability team or join the women’s walking football group.
For other providers across the Liverpool City Region, Laura’s advice is simple: don’t let a lack of “specialist” experience stop you.
“The key learning is that you don’t need to have coached disability football before to be able to coach it,” she says. “As long as you can listen, be empathetic, and show passion… if you know how to communicate and how to tie shoelaces, you’ve got the core skills you need”.
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