06 Feb NEWSOME ACADEMY VISIT INCLUSION ROOM ON SATURDAY
Posted at 11:51h
in Uncategorised
Saturday was an exciting day for the Foundation, as we welcomed seven students and their teachers from Newsome Academy to the John Smith’s Stadium!
For many of them, it was their first live experience of a football match and although Town could only manage a draw, it was a winning occasion for all those involved. The visit was arranged as part of our Premier League Inspires Programme, in which our staff work with Newsome Academy to support a diverse range of students, including their SEN department.
The students were met by Club and Foundation staff and they were presented with their own Town scarf before being escorted to the stadium’s Inclusion Room: a space aimed at providing a place where people with additional needs can watch the game in comfort and relax amidst the atmosphere normally expected at a live football match.
They were met in the inclusion room by Pat Jones and Brodie Spencer and were provided with lunch before watching the match. At half-time, they were surprised by a special guest visit from Town legend, Andy Booth.
The students and their staff had a great time, with one going to say that it was “the best day ever.”
Secondary Schools Education Manager Jim Dyson had this to say: “It was an amazing day for the young people and a reminder of how much good the Foundation does in the community. We have worked with Newsome Academy regularly through our Premier League Inspires project, including the SEN department, and it was great for us to not only reward them for the work they have done with the Foundation but also to show that everyone is welcome at the John Smith’s Stadium and that football matches should not be seen as intimidating places. Hopefully, now they have seen the facilities available to them, they can become regulars in blue and white!”
For more information on the Premier League Inspires project, please contact Jim Dyson at jim.dyson@htafcfoundation.com, or for information on the inclusion room, please email michelle.mcqueen@htafc.com