Home   Sport   Article

Inverness club wants to launch football academy for children with special needs





The new logo for Inverness Thistle has been revealed.
The new logo for Inverness Thistle has been revealed.

A football club looking to re-establish itself next season have announced plans to launch a football academy for children with special needs.

Officials behind the relaunch of Inverness Thistle want to create an under-12 football academy specifically designed for children with special educational needs.

It is one part of the football’s club ambitious plans to return to action in the North Caledonian League next season after their former club merged with Caledonian to create Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 1994.

The club, who are looking to enter the North Caledonian League next season, wants to launch an academy that will aim to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where children can develop their football skills, improve their physical and mental well-being, and build social connections.

The academy would look to cater for children aged 8-12 with a range of SEN, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and physical disabilities. The academy would also cater for neurotypical children to foster an inclusive environment.

Inverness Thistle board advisor Erik Ellison says they are looking to create a football club which serves the community and the city can take pride in.

He said: “We are committed to creating a club that embodies the pride of the city and a club which is owned by the fans for the fans.

“We are looking to base ourselves on a community based model and setting ourselves up as a social enterprise rather than a business.

“Inverness Thistle has roots in the past, but we are a community based club who have their sights on the future and getting into the North Caledonian League.

“The club is here to stay, we are looking for investors and funders to raise money and embodies the pride of the city.

“We are looking at creating an inclusivity academy, helping to develop children with special needs and become a truly inclusive club.”

Inverness Thistle have announced plans to join the North Caledonian League for the 2025/26 campaign and are in the process of raising money to get them up and running.

On Saturday, September 21, Ellison is organising a Jaunt for Jags, a walk on the Great Glen Way to raise money for the club.

He is inviting people to join him on his five day trek when he will be walking 120km from Fort William to Inverness to raise funds and awareness of the club.

Inverness Thistle are also planning to host an Inverness Thistle reunion and quiz night at the Corriegarth Hotel on Saturday, September 28 at 7pm.

Ellison is looking to raise £10,000 to help go towards re-launching the club and realising next season.

“The Jaunt for Jags will take place over five days from Fort William to Inverness,” he said.

“Then we will celebrate with the reunion night at the Corriegarth which will be a rallying call to get people in Inverness behind what we are trying to do.

“I truly believe we can raise £10,000 if people in Inverness and further afield back us and send out the message we are here to stay.”

To make a donation visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/jauntforjags


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More