Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Sandwell Inclusion League stands as a remarkable pan-disability football organization based in Sandwell, providing competitive opportunities for people with ambulant disabilities. Established to promote inclusivity in sports, the league welcomes participants from age 8 and above, creating a supportive environment where athletes can develop their skills and enjoy the beautiful game.
The league features prominent teams including Stourbridge FC, Kewford Eagles, WBA Brunt, and Aston Villa, fostering healthy competition while emphasizing participation and development. These teams regularly compete in league matches and special events, building community connections through shared sporting experiences.
The Albion Foundation plays a significant role in supporting the league, recently hosting the Sandwell Inclusion Open Cup. This friendly competition brought together various participants, highlighting the league's commitment to creating accessible sporting opportunities for all abilities and furthering its mission of inclusion through football.
History
The Sandwell Inclusion League was founded in 2015 by a group of dedicated parents and carers of children with disabilities. Their motivation stemmed from a desire to create accessible sporting opportunities for young people with various disabilities.
The league was specifically designed to serve people with ambulant disabilities, starting from age 8 and continuing into adulthood. Since its inception, the organization has been committed to promoting inclusive football throughout the Sandwell area.
In the years following its establishment, the league has experienced significant growth. The Albion Foundation has played a key role in supporting this development, helping to strengthen and expand the league's reach and impact.
By October 2019, the Sandwell Inclusion League had established enough of a presence to join social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where they began building an online community.
The league represents an important development in disability sports in the West Midlands. It provides competitive football opportunities in a structured environment that accommodates the specific needs of participants with disabilities.
Today, the Sandwell Inclusion League continues to evolve and grow, maintaining its original mission of inclusion while expanding its influence and participant base throughout the region.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Sandwell Inclusion League caters to various age groups, providing structured competition for players with ambulant disabilities. The league organizes competitions across multiple age categories including Open, U16, and U12 divisions.
For the youngest participants, the U12 category features both Championship and Premiership divisions, allowing for appropriate skill-level matching among players. This tiered approach helps develop confidence and skills at a crucial developmental stage.
The U16 age group similarly offers Championship and Premiership divisions, creating a progressive pathway for teenage players. This structure ensures competitive balance while providing opportunities for player development.
At the senior level, the league operates an Open age category with several divisions including SIL Premiership, SIL League One, and Pan Disability League 1. This multi-tier system accommodates various skill levels and competitive abilities.
The league's structure demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity across all age ranges, from children as young as 8 years old through to adults. The comprehensive divisional setup ensures appropriate competition regardless of age or ability level.
Special events like the Sandwell Inclusion Open Cup bring together teams from different age categories and regions, with recent tournaments featuring 25 participating teams across U12 and U16 divisions.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Sandwell Inclusion League operates with dedicated staff who ensure the smooth running of this inclusive sports initiative. Paul Glover serves as a key contact for the league, particularly for the Junior Division associated with West Bromwich Albion.
Interested participants or organizations can reach out to Paul directly via email at paul.glover@albionfoundation.co.uk for information about joining or supporting the league.
The league is structured with a committee that oversees various divisions, including SIL League One and the Junior Division. These committees work to coordinate fixtures, results, and player registrations throughout the season.
Contact information for specific teams like WBA Boing can be found through the league's official channels. Team managers maintain player records and season statistics.
The league also collaborates with the Albion Foundation, which provides organizational support and resources to maintain the inclusive nature of the competition.
Staff members focus on creating accessible sporting opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, emphasizing the social and physical benefits of participation.
Parents of children interested in pan-disability sports sessions can contact league representatives to learn about upcoming events designed for children with ambulant disabilities.
Teams
The Sandwell Inclusion League features a diverse range of teams catering to players with disabilities across different age groups. The league structure accommodates various needs and abilities, creating an inclusive sporting environment.
Several notable teams participate in the league's competitions. Aston Villa has a strong presence with their Foundation SIL Disability team and an under-12 squad. West Bromwich Albion is represented by their Throstles team, showcasing the involvement of professional clubs in disability football.
The under-12 category includes teams such as:
- Arden Forest U12 Lionsgate Green SIL
- Birmingham Deaf U12 Pan Football
- Kewford Eagles 3 U12
- Shipston Excelsior Junior U12
- Solihull Moors U12
For older age groups, teams like Coventry Sky Blues U16 compete in the league. Other participating teams include Liberty, Walsall Wood, and Wilnecote Unicorns.
The league encompasses approximately 72 teams in total, reflecting its significant scale and commitment to providing competitive opportunities for players with ambulant disabilities. Teams begin from age 8 and continue through various age brackets.
Each team contributes to the league's mission of creating an inclusive football environment where players with disabilities can develop their skills and enjoy the social benefits of team sports.
Players
The Sandwell Inclusion League features a variety of players across different teams. Notable players mentioned in the search results include Thomas Bennett, Ben Bisseker, Chris Blake, and Christopher Brindley who appear to be associated with WBA Gera.
For youth leagues within the Sandwell Inclusion League, players' names are no longer publicly displayed for privacy and safeguarding reasons. This protective measure is common in junior divisions.
The league encompasses both junior and senior divisions. The Junior Division specifically includes Under 12 and Under 16 age groups, bringing together young players from across the Midlands region.
Teams such as WBA Boing and WBA Gera participate in the league with their respective player rosters. The league's structure allows players of different abilities to participate in organized football matches.
Monthly competitions held at Sandwell Academy provide players with regular opportunities to develop their skills and engage in competitive matches. These events are crucial for player development within the inclusive framework of the league.
Player statistics are typically tracked throughout the season to monitor performance and progress, though some teams may not have current statistical data available.
