The Liverpool FC Foundation recently hosted a Unified Sports Festival at the club’s Academy in Kirkby.

The special event was the conclusion of a five-month project which saw the Liverpool FC Foundation working collaboratively with the Youth Sports Trust, Special Olympics and The One for All Foundation to deliver an all-inclusive coaching and competitive football programme for disabled and non-disabled children across Merseyside, Wirral, St Helens and Halton.

The Unified Sports Festival saw eight schools from across the Merseyside region coming together and playing competitive football at the Reds’ Academy. The event was designed to encourage Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools and mainstream schools to play together as a team and support each other in sport.

Anfield legend, Alan Kennedy, also paid a surprise visit to the festival and spent time chatting with participants, taking pictures and signing autographs for those involved.

Julie Robbins, head of inclusion at the Youth Sport Trust, said: “These events provide a unique opportunity to inspire and empower young people with and without disabilities, creating positive change and developing more opportunities for young people to take part in competitive school sport.

“Liverpool FC Foundation has supported the development of this project through high-quality coaching and first-class facilities - ensuring we have been able to use the power of sport to provide a platform for young people to understand and value their peers with disabilities, build their confidence, and give them the opportunity to make new friends - ultimately we want to create a unified generation.”

Head of the LFC Foundation, Andrea Cooper, added: “The feedback about this project has been fantastic with schools and organisations alike suggesting that the LFC Foundation is pioneering in its outlook and delivery of inclusion.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to deliver such high-class programmes and facilities for those with additional needs. Our Respect 4 All programme offers sport provision for young people and adults with severe and complex needs, and we pride ourselves in working closely with participants and their families to help everyone fulfil their potential in different ways.”