The Adelaide Crows Foundation is partnering with Variety- the Children’s Charity to deliver a new football program helping young people with special needs.

The Inclusive Academy will see children aged 10 to 15 training alongside Adelaide’s men’s and women’s players to develop key football skills while forging new friendships and learning how to work as part of a team.

This four-week program, catering for over 100 young people, forms part of Variety- the Children’s Charity’s recent $300,000 three-year commitment to work with the Crows.

Adelaide Crows Foundation Chair Kate Thiele said the program would engage and enrich the lives of children and youth in the community.

“We looked to the community, as a sporting organisation, to find where we could best serve them and found there was no football competition for children and preteens with special needs,” Thiele said.

“We have experience as a Club in running football academies, so it felt like a natural fit.

“This program is going to have benefits for the participants, their therapists who will learn new skills, parents who can connect with other families in similar situations and our players, who are always looking for new opportunities to give back.”

Variety CEO Mark McGill said the program was at the heart of what the organisation stood for.

“This academy gives children from all backgrounds the opportunity to achieve their potential,” McGill said.

“We are really proud to support the Foundation and its work and are looking forward to working together to support more children in the most impactful and inclusive way.”

All participants have been referred by Kudos Services, whose therapists will be donating their time to support their clients and learn new skills.

The Inclusive Academy will officially begin on July 20.