SEND football in Failsworth, Oldham

SEND football.
A place to belong.

Football coaching built around the child—not the other way round. Helping children and young people with additional needs grow in confidence, communication and connection.

Already a member?Open the Parent Hub

Free first session · No pressure · Come as you are

A BTG coach with four young footballers on the pitch
Every child is different.That’s exactly where we start.
✓SEND-specialistChild-first coaching
✓Maximum 10 childrenAn absolute group-session cap
✓Safeguarding-ledClear, consistent standards
✓Free first sessionTry before joining

SUPPORTED BY OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Ashton Medical Group

Our Official Community Partner, supporting inclusive SEND football and helping more young people find their place in the game.

Meet our community partner →
Our Oldham Athletic Superstars team with Coach Marc at Salford Sports Village
25 September 2026 · Salford Sports Village

OUR OLDHAM ATHLETIC SUPERSTARS

Our first team.
A moment to remember.

Our first Manchester FA Ability Counts league night brought a proud milestone for BTG and our work with Oldham Athletic Community Trust.

For many of our players, this was their first organised match. Everyone contributed, and together they scored the team’s first-ever goal. A chance to wear the kit, take part and belong.

See our September 2026 memory

A PATHWAY FOR EVERY CHILD

Start where they feel comfortable.

Ages are a guide, not a strict entry test. We consider confidence, communication, support needs and readiness for structured activities—no labels, no pressure.

Choose a group below to see what a session feels like. Every group has a maximum of 10 children.

A BTG coach supporting a young child exploring football

Ages 3–6 · SEND FOOTBALL

Discover & Play

Maximum 10 children in every group

A gentle first step into football for children aged 3–6. Discover & Play is guided play, with less structured coaching and more room for children to explore at their own pace.

Parents and carers are welcome on the pitch to engage, play and enjoy the session alongside their child. Our coaches offer encouragement and support to help each child feel as comfortable as possible, whether they are ready to join in or need a little time to watch first.

There is plenty to discover, including mini hurdles, activity ladders, play tunnels, pop-up football nets and other fun play accessories. The focus is on curiosity, enjoyment and a positive experience together.

No diagnosis is required. We can help you find the group that best suits your child.

Find a session
NEW
Sunday Young Stars: Players · Ages 7–11

Launching Sunday 18 October, 10am–11am at Failsworth Soccer Centre, across from Co-op Academy Failsworth. SEND football with skills, team games and time on the ball. No diagnosis required. Thursday Young Stars Players is now full.

Book a free trial
1:1
Individual coaching

One-to-one support shaped around the child’s pace, interests and goals. Thursday 5–6pm, Saturday 11am–12pm and 12–1pm, and Sunday 11am–12pm. Check ClassForKids for current booking availability.

Ask about 1:1 coaching
Two children celebrating together during a BTG activityFootball is the vehicle.
The child is the focus.

THE BTG APPROACH

More than football.
Progress that matters.

We create calm, predictable sessions where children can take part in their own way. Our coaches adapt the environment, communication and challenge—not the child.

01Confidence

Trying, choosing and celebrating progress.

02Communication

Finding comfortable ways to connect.

03Friendships

Shared play without social pressure.

04Regulation

Movement, routine and emotional safety.

“We don’t just coach football.

We coach the child through football.”

— THE BTG PROMISE

THE PEOPLE BEHIND BTG

Meet the coaches.

Patient, purposeful coaching from people who understand that every child may need something different to feel comfortable, connected and ready to play.

Coach Charlie observing and supporting a Beyond The Game football session

TRAINEE COACH

Coach Charlie

Charlie joined the BTG team in July 2026 and brings an abundance of enthusiasm for sport and inclusive coaching. Coming from a teaching family, he understands the importance of patience, consistency and meeting young people where they are.

Charlie is thoughtful, encouraging and fully aligned with BTG’s vision. Our players enjoy seeing him each week, and he is committed to helping every child feel understood, supported and part of the group.

INTERESTED IN COACHING WITH BTG?Help build football environments where more children can belong.

We may not be recruiting today, but we welcome expressions of interest from thoughtful coaches who share our values.

Explore future opportunities

BEYOND THE GAME’S VISION

500 children.
One goal.

By 2030, we aim to meaningfully engage 500 children and young people every month across the North West who have previously faced barriers to football.

Through academy sessions, schools, care and community referrals, funded places and trusted partners, we want to build a pathway where football adapts around the child—and where belonging is never reserved for the few.

With the support of our Official Community Partner, Ashton Medical Group, we are working towards that vision.

Discover Road to 2030
Archie playing football at Beyond The Game
10OCTOBER WINNER2026

BTG WINNERS SPOTLIGHT · OCTOBER 2026

A love of football.
A win worth celebrating.

Each month, we celebrate one child whose progress deserves recognition, on the pitch and beyond it.

THIS MONTH’S WINNER

Archie, age 7

Archie’s mum has shared how much football now means to him. After school, he heads straight into the garden to play. She says he also chooses football when he is upset or needs a little time to calm down.

His enthusiasm is finding its way into learning too: a penalty shootout game has even encouraged him to practise spellings on the iPad. Whenever they drive past the training venue, he asks if they can turn in for another session!

“I’ve never seen Archie so happy/passionate about anything before and it’s lovely to see.”

Archie’s mum

Well done, Archie! We’re proud to celebrate the joy and enthusiasm you bring to football. Thank you to his mum for sharing these lovely moments from home.

THE BTG MEMORY BOOK

Keep the moments.
Remember the journey.

A growing scrapbook of BTG memories, celebrating the people, progress and moments that shape our academy.

Open the Memory Book →

SEPTEMBER 2026

Our first team. Our first league night.

On 25 September 2026, our Oldham Athletic Superstars took part in their first Manchester FA Ability Counts league night at Salford Sports Village, through our work with Oldham Athletic Community Trust. For many players, it was their first organised football match. Every player contributed, and together the team scored its first-ever goal. A proud milestone in a journey built around confidence, participation and belonging.

PARENT STORIES

What families notice first.

Real experiences from parents and carers whose children have found their place at BTG.

★★★★★
“A brilliant environment where every child is supported to be themselves.”

Inclusive, relaxed and welcoming—with no pressure to participate in a certain way.

K Mc5-star Trustpilot review
★★★★★
“Straight away, we knew our boy could be part of a team.”

Understanding, empathetic and supportive coaching that helps him stay regulated and happy.

Debbie5-star Trustpilot review

MORE THAN A WEEKLY SESSION

Your child’s football journey,
supported between sessions too.

BTG membership is £58 per month and gives your family a regular place in a SEND-focused group capped at an absolute maximum of 10 children, plus secure tools, resources and opportunities designed to make football feel more connected.

Start with a free session
01

A regular weekly place

Consistent coaches, familiar routines and an absolute maximum of 10 children in every group session.

02

Your secure Parent Hub

A private member space for resources, home activities, important updates and your child’s football journey.

03

Private support from BTG

Ask us to contact you about a session, membership or anything you would like to discuss privately.

04

Football at home

One simple monthly skill video with pressure-free ways to practise using just a ball and a safe space.

05

Practical parent guides

Downloadable help for session preparation, participation, membership, kit, weather and safe football.

06

More ways to belong

Eligible players may be invited to inclusive matchday opportunities, camps and other BTG experiences as they develop.

INCLUDED WITH ACTIVE BTG MEMBERSHIP

Private child information and member-only event details remain inside the verified Parent Hub.

See a Parent Hub preview

YOUR FIRST VISIT

Know what to expect.

A simple, pressure-free first step for you and your child.

1

Tell us about your child

Share what helps, what they enjoy and anything you want us to know.

2

We recommend a group

We’ll match their age, needs and comfort level to the most suitable session.

3

Come for a free session

Meet the coach, explore the space and join in as much—or as little—as feels right.

Floodlit football pitches at Co-op Academy Failsworth

OUR HOME IN FAILSWORTH

Co-op Academy Failsworth

Brierley Avenue, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9HA

  • Secure outdoor pitches
  • Clear arrival guidance before your visit
  • Free first session available
View suitable sessions
✓

SAFEGUARDING AT BTG

Safe. Supported.
Taken seriously.

Safeguarding is built into how BTG recruits, plans and delivers—not treated as paperwork after the fact.

Designated Safeguarding Lead
Marc Jackson
Our standards
Safer recruitment, codes of conduct and clear reporting routes
Ask a safeguarding question

FIND THE RIGHT SESSION

Every journey starts with the right first step.

Share a few basic details and we’ll use your child’s age and preferred style of support to email the most suitable available starting point. We can discuss individual support needs privately afterwards.

What would help your child enjoy their first session?Choose the closest answer. We’ll use this with their age to suggest the right starting group.

Please don’t include medical or diagnostic information here. We’ll discuss anything that helps your child privately once we make contact.
By submitting, you agree that BTG may use these details to respond to your enquiry. See our Privacy Notice.

SEND Coaching

Frequently asked questions

Still have a question? Email the BTG team.

Does my child need a diagnosis?

No. A formal diagnosis is not required. We start with the child, what they enjoy and the support that helps them feel comfortable.

What if my child does not join in straight away?

That is completely fine. Children can watch, explore, take breaks and join at their own pace. Participation may look different for every child.

Can a parent or carer stay?

Yes. Parents and carers are welcome to remain nearby, and in Discover & Play they actively support their child’s exploration of the session.

Which session is right for my child?

Discover & Play is generally for ages 3–6, Young Stars: Explorers for ages 5–8, Young Stars: Players for ages 7–11, and Teenage Stars for ages 12–18. These ages are guidance rather than strict entry criteria. Tell us about your child through our session finder and we will recommend the starting point that best matches their confidence, communication, support needs and readiness for structured activities.

What is the difference between the two Young Stars groups?

Young Stars: Explorers is a gentler introduction using playful activities, clear demonstrations and shorter instructions. Young Stars: Players introduces more structured football skills, instructions and team games. Neither group is considered better or more advanced—the aim is to place each child where they feel most comfortable and able to enjoy themselves.

How many children attend each group?

Each SEND group has an absolute maximum of 10 children. This cap helps us keep sessions consistent, considered and centred around the children attending.

Is the first session free?

Yes. The first session is free so your child can meet the coach, experience the environment and decide whether BTG feels right.

What should my child wear and bring?

Comfortable sports clothing, suitable footwear for the playing surface and a drink. We will send exact venue and surface guidance before your visit.

What happens if the environment becomes overwhelming?

Children can pause, regulate and return when ready. Coaches use clear routines, flexible activities and calm communication, and we welcome information from families about what helps.

How much does membership cost?

Membership is £58 per month. We explain the payment schedule and any first-month arrangement clearly before you join.

Where are sessions held?

Current group sessions are held at Co-op Academy Failsworth, Brierley Avenue, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9HA. Arrival instructions are sent before your first visit.

How does BTG approach safeguarding?

Safeguarding is embedded in recruitment, conduct and delivery. Marc Jackson is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and families can contact him directly with any concern.

Do you offer one-to-one coaching?

Yes. Individual coaching can be arranged for children who would benefit from a more personalised environment or focused support.

Can you support schools or other organisations?

BTG is developing partnerships with schools and community organisations. Please contact the BTG team to discuss the needs of your setting.