Chair Of Sussex Disabled Football To Walk 100 Miles To Fund League

On Thursday (June 8) the chair of the Sussex Disability Football League, will swap his football boots for walking boots as he sets out to walk 100 miles in three days.

Steve Atkins aims to raise awareness of pan disability football provision with Sussex - as well as to raise money to help meet the cost of delivering the Sussex Disability Leagues football fixtures for another season.

Setting out from Worthing Town Football Club, Palatine Park, Steve’s walk will take in the home grounds of several football clubs along the way.

He will be calling in at Worthing FC, Crawley Town FC, East Grinstead FC, Seaford Town FC, Brighton and Hove Albion FC and after walking through the night will arrive at the home of the Sussex Disability Football League in Culver Road, Lancing early on Sunday, June 11 - the last day of the 22/23 season.

Steve is hoping to raise £12,000 through his JustGiving crowdfunding site, in "grateful" memory of Mathew Major, former chair of the SDFL and a "real football man".

Steve Atkins said:

“The league has been growing every year since it started in 2009 and we have seen a huge growth in adult and youth football, but the cost of running it is growing too and it’s a challenge to provide a quality product to our members and their families.

“We have some wonderful sponsors who have been extremely kind and loyal to the league for many years but in these uncertain times I do worry about the future. I’d love to raise the full amount and I’m hoping for the best, but anything helps. I’d like people to support my walk and help me raise the money, but I also want to use it as an opportunity to engage with the clubs around Sussex.

“We need their help to raise the profile of Pan-Disability football as proper football; a sport that’s open, accessible and available for everyone. The more we speak about it, the more chance there is of people coming along and joining in. I would love it if a representative of each club comes out for a photo and quick chat while I’m passing by their ground. If they came with a cup of coffee and a biscuit, I would count that as a win and 3-points in the bag!”

Pauline Fox, Chief Executive Officer at Worthing Town FC said:

“I am delighted that Steve has chosen to start this amazing walk from Worthing Town FC where as a club we see inclusion as part of everyday life, especially in football. Disability takes so many forms, many invisible, therefore not noticed by other people. Football should be available to everyone with or without a disability. Let’s fly that flag for disability, raise people’s awareness and hopefully raise sufficient funds to support the league that in turn supports people with a disability to play football.”

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stevewalks4sdfl?utm_term=6nNYVGwRN

About the Sussex Disability League 

The League was originally set up by Sussex County FA in 2009 to offer competitive football at a central venue for both adult and youth teams (male and female). All matches are small-sided and played on an artificial 3G surface to ensure the league is accessible.

In 2012 the League became independent to take advantage of further funding and commercial opportunities and to expand and develop the league further. A committee was set up with eight officers who met regularly to discuss league matters.

In 2016/17 season having outgrown their home of Hassocks Sports Centre, the league negotiated a deal with Sussex County FA to move the leagues fixtures to the 3G Stadium Pitch at Culver Road, Lancing. Players here enjoy a high quality, all-weather pitch and spectators have an outdoor food area and an indoor bar to keep warm.

More recently there has been a huge growth in both Adult and Youth Football and new players, spectators and supporters have all been welcomed.

A huge range of opportunities are now available for aspiring players of all ages and abilities through a full pathway of football.

Below are league divisions and Turn up and Play sessions.

●  Under 8’s (Mixed Turn up and Play)

●  Under 12’s (Mixed)

●  Under 16’s (Mixed)

●  Under 18’s (Mixed)

●  Adult Walking Football (Mixed)

●  Adult Division 1 (Mixed)

●  Adult Championship (Mixed)

●  Adult Premiership (Mixed)

●  Adult 11 v 11 Development (Mixed)

All matches are officiated by fully qualified referees who are appointed by the league. All referees involved with the league continually update their skills and knowledge in Refereeing Disability Football.

http://www.sussexdisabilityfootball.org.uk/

The Route

Thursday 8th June

7:30am – Set off on the journey from Worthing Town FC 8:30am – Arrive at Worthing FC
Very Late – Arrive at Crawley Town FC

Friday 9th June

7:30am – Set off from Crawley Town FC 11am – Arrive at East Grinstead
Very very Late – Arrive at Seaford Town FC

Saturday 10th June

7:30am – Set off from Seaford Town FC
12:30pm – Arrive at Brighton and Hove Albion FC

Sunday 11th June

3:30am – Set off from Brighton and Hove Albion FC 8:30am – Arrive at Sussex Disability Football League