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Hibernian Community Foundation teamed up with the Lothian Autistic Society to stage an inaugural Open Day at the club’s Training Centre in Ormiston, East Lothian last weekend.
Around 50 boys and girls, aged 7-16, attended the event with their parents and carers. This included families from across East, Mid and West Lothian as well as from Edinburgh.
Head of Community Coaching Tom Elliott, along with some Healthy Hibee volunteers, welcomed everyone to the first event in this new partnership.
Children had an opportunity to take to the pitch and score some goals while parents found out more about the project before everyone was invited to a tour of the facilities, including the first-team changing room.
Hibernian Community Foundation and Lothian Autistic Society believe that this exciting new project will encourage young people with autism to take part in community football.
Tom Elliott said: “I’m delighted with the numbers of children along with their parents and siblings, who joined us at the Training Centre on Saturday.
“The children’s enthusiasm was obvious and they got the chance to take part in a practical football session. I’m looking forward to working closely with Lothian Autistic Society as we prepare to deliver weekly sessions for the boys and girls to attend.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
