Europe: Siltanews – News Desk
To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega, Nico O’Reilly and Josh Wilson-Esbrand headed down to a City in the Community (CITC), One City Disability Tournament to surprise some of the young participants.
The players attended the session, which provides opportunity for participants to take part in free football and sporting provision relevant to their specific disability.
Whilst at the Tennis Centre, they chatted with participants who were taking part in the tournament, as well as learning more about the session’s activities.
Commenting on the day, CITC Disability Officer, Sean Dwyer said: “By having players come visit the sessions, it allows us to further educate on disability sports, as well as helping to break down stigma.”
International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote the rights and well-being of people across the world.
During their last reporting year CITC delivered more than 58 hours of their One City Disability program, which is vital to the young people in the community.
Sean also explained the importance of such programs, adding: “Here at CITC it is important to provide a safe space for any individual with a disability.
“We make sure that regardless of a person’s disability, we have a session that suits an individual’s needs. It is important that we make this available as access to disability sport can have barriers.
“By offering the sessions we do, we make sure to knock down those barriers. Whether it is stigma, financial, or travel. We aim to provide sessions for the community.”
Sessions are held in Primary and High Schools as well as in community venues outside of school hours ensuring that participants across Greater Manchester have access to disability specific provision and education.
Integral to the growth of the City in the Community’s One City Disability program has been Nissan, who have been officially supporting all of City in the Community’s disability and LGBTQ+ projects since 2021 and are now its Official Equality Diversity and Inclusion Partner
City in the Community and Nissan have also collaborated on successful campaigns and events since 2021 – including the Nissan Possibilities Project, which helps to create more opportunities for people from underrepresented communities, and City in the Community’s Blue Run fundraiser.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.