May 09, 2013
The Irish Football Associations Disability Department, with the kind support of the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure, recently hosted a series of Special Education Movement (SEM) Award courses expertly delivered by SAQ® International.
The SEM courses aim to provide teachers, support staff, parents, coaches and all those working with special educational needs and associated movement difficulties with knowledge and practical skills in SAQ® Training. The implementation of this training with those with a disability will develop fundamental movement skills, improve and develop co-ordination, balance, agility, mechanical efficiency, strength and reactions.
One hundred participants attended the courses in Belfast, Craigavon and Ballymena. Participants were representative of Special Schools, Disability Football Clubs and Disability Organisations from all over Northern Ireland.Through the support of SAQ and DCAL all attendees were able to attend for Free and also receive a bag of equipment that they could use with their groups.
Alan Crooks, The Development Manager for Disability Football at the Irish Football Association was keen to praise the project. ‘SAQ® International Courses have worldwide reputation for excellence and we are delighted to have received the support from DCAL enabling us to deliver this Special Educational Movement Award to 100 people in Northern Ireland who practically work with people with disabilities on a regular basis. The potential impact is huge and I am so pleased that thousands of people with disabilities from across Northern Ireland will benefit from this project’.
Course participants were also keen to share their positive feedback and below are a few examples:
‘Not a good course but an excellent one. An enjoyable day and your head is full of ideas when you are leaving. Great Stuff’ Declan O’Neill – Foyle Strikers Special Olympics Football Club, Londonderry
‘Already started using SAQ Training and equipment with children. Parents reporting more engagement and concentration than previously achieved’ Joe Kelly – SNAP, Autism Support Group, Autism NI
‘Very rarely will you attend a course that is so relative to the children you are working with. Some great practical examples and ideas that I know will make a difference’ Paul Rooney – Arvalee Special School, Omagh
‘Great Course and equipment pack. Have already put the teachers through some activities as I am so keen to implement it into every P.E Lesson.Very interesting day.Gareth Adams, Jordanstown Special School
This project has been made possible due to the generous support of the NI Executive and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through the ‘Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport Programme. The programme aims to deliver sporting interventions that can:
• Promote equality;
• Tackle poverty;
• Tackle social exclusion;
• Provide opportunities to realize wider socio economic returns
