Ireland Under-21 Head Coach Jim Crawford helped put on a training session at the Football For All MiWadi FAI Football Camp in Tullamore as he stressed the importance of inclusion in football.

More than a dozen participants had signed up for the camp hosted at Tullamore Town FC last week and the Ireland coach helped those take part in a series of skills and games.

The Football For All Football camps are hosted throughout the country and designed specifically for children with additional needs to get access to football.

Jim, a former FAI Development Officer who has long championed the FAI’s programme, praised clubs around the country who are hosting Football For All specific camps.

Speaking at Tullamore Town, he said: “Football is for everybody, of all levels, and the real skill is creating the right environment.

“It was very rewarding for myself to see all the smiles on the children’s faces. Inclusion in football should never be a bolt on, inclusion is what football is about, be it grassroots, senior international teams, youth international teams - we’re all one big football family.

“Camps like this are enormous for the community but also the way it encourages teamwork, togetherness and, as important as anything, fun. That for me is what a summer camp is all about. The coaches are skilled, they’re very good with the players and a lot of attention is given to the players.”

Sarah Lloyd-O’Neill, who is the Head Coach for FAI Football Camps in Offaly, stressed the importance of the camps: “Regardless of ability or background football is for everyone. You may never have kicked a football before, it doesn’t matter, you’re still welcome into the programme.

“There aren’t many programmes like this out there and so it’s why Football For All camps are so important to get people playing the game and having fun. It’s brilliant to see the kids confidence and self-esteem grow over the week. Like any camps it wouldn’t be possible with volunteers and coaches are they are fantastic with the players.”

The camp in Tullamore was hosted in partnership with the Offaly Sports Partnership's Sports Inclusion Programme.

There are a number of Football For All camps running throughout Ireland this summer, to find your nearest camp visit bookings.faifootballcamps.ie