Generation Amazing (GA) has collaborated with Qatar Foundation (QF) to deliver a disability awareness workshop series for coaches working with children and youth in Qatar.

Among those in attendance were a select number of GA and Paris Saint-Germain Academy coaches. The workshops will continue to be rolled out over the coming months with the next due to take place in October 2020.

Coaches learned how to use accessible equipment as well as ways to implement teaching resources in the workshops for those with special needs.

In continued efforts to ensure the programme is inclusive, GA are further adapting their curriculum to include children and youth with different coach assistance needs.

Speaking on the series of workshops, GA Programmes Director, Nasser Al Khori said:

“Following a period of inactivity out on the pitch due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are delighted to get out on the training ground and resume our programme activities together in collaboration with Qatar Foundation for this important session in disability awareness.”

Al Khori, added: “Continuing to further extend the Generation Amazing programme to participants of all abilities is important to us as we reach and empower children and youth with our football for development methodology.

Inclusion is one of our core values and giving all children the chance to take on essential life skills like communication, leadership and teamwork through such an engaging sport like football, will help secure their futures.”

Amy Johnson, Director of Community Engagement at QF, said: “Inclusivity, accessibility, and equality of opportunity are values found at the core of Qatar Foundation, and they are reflected in this ability-friendly training program that we are delighted to now be offering in partnership with Generation Amazing.

She added: “Our collective goal is to ensure that all members of society can access high-caliber sports programmes that enable them to live healthy lifestyles, have fun, and engage with others. By equipping coaches from Qatar and around the world with the skills to provide such opportunities, this programme aims to help create new pathways for people of all abilities to enjoy sport.”

GA Master Coach, Hamad Mohamed, led the workshop alongside QF Senior SEN/ASD Football Specialist Ryan Moignard. Speaking about the activities, Mohamed said:

“The coaches all engaged well with the training material and adapted to the equipment and assistance requirements needed in order to deliver successfully inclusive sessions. We look forward to hosting further workshops in the months to come.”

Back in June, GA hosted a live chat in collaboration with QF on implementing ability-friendly football activities on the @GA4Good Instagram channel. The session was a part of the ongoing GA Live weekly broadcast held online for those staying in confinement at home during the pandemic.

GA is the Qatar 2022 social and legacy programme aimed at positively impacting youth and under-privileged communities using football for development. So far, the programme has reached 500,000 people in Qatar and globally and is aiming to reach 1 million people by 2022.

Follow @GA4Good on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more about the GA programme.