By NSNO.co.uk
September 22 2005

The first team may be having a tough time at present a situation which hopefully will not last long. But Everton FC has shown why they are indeed the ‘People's Club’.

The governments Sports Minister Richard Caborn has expressed his delight at the work Everton FC are doing in the community and helping to improve the lives of over 100 kids with disabilities with a total of eight teams representing the club. Mr Caborn said:

"I have been very impressed with what I have seen at Everton. In fact, I didn't realise the extent or the depth of the facilities here for people with disabilities.

You have more than 100 young people with varying disabilities being coached here with eight teams representing the club.”

It does not stop at the eight teams however, Everton FC also co-ordinate the North West league for disabled teams and help to coach and organise events for thousands of other disabled kids. Mr Caborn continued:

“[Everton] are also reaching out to more than 10,000 people in the community and that is fabulous. You just have to watch one of your coaching sessions to see that the quality of life for these young people has been changed.

You always see the bad news on the sports pages but stories like this should be focused on more often.

With help and support from the FA and the Football Foundation there are now Everton coaches who can go out into the schools and touch people's lives. It is something we can all be proud of here.

Everton have developed a model here that can be used throughout the game."

As an Evertonian and a human being, knowing that my club helps others such as these kids fills me great pride and all I can say is, keep up the good work.

source:NSNO