Football
for people with a learning disability is generally a 5-a-side
game with slight rule variation between the different organisations.
11-a-side football tends to be played by players and teams who
perform at a higher ability level.
Mencap groups,
Special Olympics groups, Ability Counts Clubs, and Local Authority
sports programmes are the main providers of football for LD players,
but there are also many Independent clubs around the country.
Many of these clubs will play in regional leagues and tournaments.
Footballers who belong to Special Olympics groups are eligible
to represent their region at National events and they could then
go on to represent GB at the European and World Games.
Mencap
covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and their members can
turn out for their club at national tournaments or represent their
National Association at International level.
The
FA's regional Ability Counts leagues are Pan disability, which
means that players from the different imparement groups could
be involved. These leagues not only give players with a LD the
opportunity to play regular competative football, but they also
form part of the pathway into the England LD football team. This
team will play in the European Championships and the World Cup.
