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OTHER USEFUL ORGANISATIONS |
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The South London Special League is a successful
organisation that enables people with special needs to play the
game they love. |
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It has existed in its present format since September
2001, but, its roots were planted long before that, in 1998 when
in association with Greenwich Sports Development (Josie Clifford)
and Nine Acres school we launched a small special league with the
Special World Cup 1998. |
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Summer 2000 cemented its future after a very
successful Special European Champs 2000 at London Marathon Playing
Fields. Jeff Davis, who was to become F.A. National Officer for
Learning Disability was very impressed by the day. Hence, from
this event the seeds were sown. |
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We welcome anybody with a special need who wants to
join. We ensure that they are included in a way
that they are able to enjoy. |
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The South London Special League runs a large
festival at the beginning of the school year to encourage new
schools and clubs to join the League and to celebrate its ongoing
success |
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Each division meets twice termly to compete. At the
end of the season the winning team will be presented with a
trophy. Each individual league Tournament is a celebration
of Football and individual prizes will be awarded. |
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The South London Special League never loses sight 0f
the value of FAIR PLAY, or that some youngsters will only ever
take part and not win the sparkling cup. They too can be
rewarded for all their sportsmanship. |
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At the end of each season there is also the
Championship open to all competitors. Teams have entered
from as far away as Hillingdon and Gravesend. |
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The Championship will be in Parallel with our
national competitions: for example last summer (2004) we ran a
SPECIAL EUROPEAN CHAMPS in June. With over 300 young people
taking part, it was by far the most successful event we have run. |
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Over the years we have enabled many young people to
play competitive football successfully in a way that is
appropriate to their ability. Our success is thanks to all those
people who are committed to the South London Special League and
work to promote its values. |
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Our events tend to be help in venues suitable for
the young people throughout south London, but mainly in Greenwich,
Bexley, Southwark and Lewisham. We try to use Astroturf in
the winter and, for the less able teams we try to find indoor
venues. This is always an on going dilemma, to find
suitable, inexpensive pitches. |
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Plans for the future are to develop an adult league
for regular competitive play for people who still want to play
football but find it difficult after the age of compulsory
education. |
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We are also hoping to run a club for girls with a
learning disability to meet regularly and to eventually play in a
mainstream league. |
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Young people in mainstream education who miss
opportunities to platy competitive football in school is another
area for immediate development. |
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Over the years there are many other areas that need
development.. Hopefully the SLSL will be able to tackle some
of |
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Under 19 |
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Div a |
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Div b |
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Under 16 |
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Girls under 19 |
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Girls under 16 |
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MODERATE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES (MLD) |
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Under 16 |
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Under 14 |
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Girls under 16 |
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Girls under 14 |
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Mixed under 12.these. |
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Without partnership, funding and help from a great
many groups within the community the success of the SLSL would
never have been realised: Greenwich Council, London Football
Association, South London Press, Charlton Football in the
Community, Millwall Football in the Community. CARE partnership,
Eltham Sports College. There are others, too many to
mention. |
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South London Special League is the only league of
its kind in the country. With our success, others will follow.
We are breaking new ground. We are ensuring that our young
people with special needs can reach the highest of standards in
football. They do, after all, deserve that which is an
automatic right to young people who do not have special needs. |
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DIVISIONS ACTIVE WITHIN THE SOUTH LONDON SPECIAL
LEAGUE |
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Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD): |
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Under 19 |
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Div a |
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Div b |
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Under 16 |
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Girls under 19 |
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Girls under 16 |
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Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) |
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Under 16 |
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Under 14 |
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Girls under 16 |
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Girls under 14 |
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Mixed under 12. |
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