The Sydney FC Foundation Board and guests had the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact the Sydney FC Foundation’s Sydney FC Empowers Me program is having on participants with disabilities, during their visit to Giant Steps, a specialist school in Gladesville, Sydney.
Giant Steps provides educational support to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on individualised learning plans that develop essential life skills, enhance communication abilities, and foster social interactions.
Jenny Abood, Sydney FC Foundation Chair, said, “It was inspiring to see our new Inclusive Programs Officer, former Pararoo Ben Sutton run the Sydney FC Empowers Me program with the students at Giant Steps. We saw the children with various abilities engage with the wonderful sport of football and heard from the Principal and staff how they are seeing the students grow and engage through tailored sporting activity on a consistent basis. It’s an honour to work with Giant Steps to help change lives one pass at a time.”
How the Sydney FC Empowers Me program works
The Sydney FC Empowers Me program operates on three key pillars: school programs, community programs, and matchday experiences. In just over 12 months, the program has made a significant impact, positively affecting more than 1,930 participants with over 50 different disabilities. Through the Sydney FC Empowers Me program, Sydney FC Foundation has created an inclusive environment that fosters personal development and a sense of belonging for participants involved.
Helping the Giant Steps students grow
Toby Shi, Senior Occupational Therapist, said, “The Sydney FC Empowers Me program has given our students and adult participants the opportunity to engage in a sporting program that they wouldn’t of otherwise had. Through the work of Jake and Ben, our students have developed a love for football, especially for Sydney FC, and have attended games regularly. It has also opened up the possibility for some of our families to engage in an activity that is both age appropriate and socially engaging on the weekends. This not only benefits the participants but their wider family, who can often feel isolated. Our students have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions that Jake and Ben have been running and looking forward to a continued partnership into 2025.”
Expanding the empowerment
The Sydney FC Empowers Me program continues to grow, with new schools added in Term 4, including Caroline Chisholm (Padstow), Broderick Gillawarna (Revesby), Smalls Rd Public School (North Ryde), Victoria Avenue Public School (Concord West), and Naremburn School (Naremburn). Through these partnerships, over 350 students have been positively impacted each week by the program’s activities, further extending the Sydney FC Foundation’s mission to support and empower those with disabilities across the community.
Jake Cohen, Sydney FC Foundation Programs and Partnerships Manager, said, “We see huge improvements in participants’ confidence, resilience, teamwork skills and social skills on a weekly basis. It’s a huge pleasure to see this with the students at Giant Steps and every other participant we work with. Coming here with the Board reminds us of the vital work we and everyone that contributes to the Sydney FC Foundation is enabling.”
For more information on the Sydney FC Foundation and the life changing work it enables, please visit www.sydneyfcfoundation.com.
