Rights of SEN child in grassroots football team

[CEFG]

Hello,
My son has high functioning autism and has played for a local grassroots team now as goalkeeper for 3 years and as an academy player for an additional 2 years. He has been completely reliable team member and has only missed one game in this time to attend his grandmothers funeral! He has struggled at times as he tries to be a perfectionist and when goals are inevitably scored he has had meltdowns in the past. This behaviour has improved significantly though and he is due to transition into full size goals next season when they will start playing 11 a side. In fact he said to his coach that he was looking forward to the challenge.
I was aware that the team needed more children for the 11 a side game and so I was comfortable when I heard that there was going to be a new goalkeeper who was expected to play half the game with my son playing the other half.
Sadly, the coach has told me that my son will not be playing in goal for the time-being as they believe he won’t cope with the large goals. He also said that as they are volunteers they don’t want to deal with meltdowns if they. Happen and they have to consider the other children in the team. They have said that he can continue to play outfield but he’s had minimal experience and he’s completely passionate about goalkeeping.
My question is about what the clubs duties are to my son given his protected status within the disability framework. I have asked the coaches to reconsider and Iam planning a meeting with the club’s welfare officer. Am I able to use the disbility legislation to strengthen was argument to ask for half a game in goal or can the coaches still just do what they want even with what I consider to be additional protection afforded to my son by the disability legislation.
I look forward to your thoughts as I realise this is a delicate situation. I also feel that my son has been damaged by other organisations who should have offered supportive and encouraging environments and he is devloping a very negative self image and a can’t do attitude!

That’s really hard for your son, but if the team are continuing to play him, just not in his preferred position, then I think you have to help your son cope with this change.
It is a team game and the coach generally has freedom to move players around to try different positions , and also to leave players on the bench in they choose.

I am not an expert but I don’t think disability legislation will help you here, and I would suggest you focus on building your son’s resilience and coping strategies and perhaps ask the clubs help in that area.

The club have to be complaint with the Equality Act. From your post I think you would have a difficult job proving disability discrimination.

Have you looked an ability counts teams?

Thank you for your comments. It’s can be difficult to keep perspective. I’ll await the meeting with the club and see what they have to say.

I think you should ask for them to at least give him a chance with the large goals.

However from experiences of friends as they go up age groups the coaches & teams get more focused on fielding the 'best' team they can, and keen but less good kids do get sidelined, SN or not.

I wonder whether there is an 'inclusive' team he could move to if needed?

My 11 year old sounds very similar. He plays for grassroots team plus at Elite level for Premier League Club. He is actually fine there (I have no idea why but he seems to be able to hold his emotions/behaviour there)but struggles at his grassroots club. In fact his behaviour there was one of the reasons we sought a diagnosis as I could see how hard he was finding it. We started process in January and got ASD diagnosis 4 weeks ago. In his case, he has to control everything so bring on a football pitch is very hard for him as he can’t always control what’s happening. This time last year I was very doubtful he’d be able to carry on playing as he was having a meltdown mid match and couldn’t even cope with training. His managers have been amazing though. They have done every possible thing to make it work for him.

What about trying another team?

Yeah it sucks, I would appeal to their better nature and ask for a trial of goal. Also if he's going to be outfield he would probably manage better if there was a transition so could possibly do a bit of both. It's upsetting how resistant people are to the behaviours of nd people because they don't fit with societal norms.

Again - thank-you to those who have contributed. I am planning to appeal to the coaches better natures when I have a meeting with the club's welfare officer. I'm also hoping to get him some independent coaching over the summer. As I'm not a footballer and not local, I'm not so sure about finding him a new team. I'll keep trying!
Thanks again.
Best wishes
Charles

If you want to investigate an ability counts team the area’s FA will be able to point you in the direction of the nearest one.