On Monday 21st November, Barton Inclusive Football Club, a pan-disability club based in North Lincolnshire, hosted a friendly football tournament between Year 2 and 3 Sports Business Management, (SBM) students from Lincoln International Business School, along with two inclusive football teams. Following an inspiring guest talk by the club founder and three players, the students have been working on a research project about the barriers faced by footballers with a learning or physical disability.
As part of the Sports Business Management programme, students carry out research and make recommendations to address a business challenge outlined by a local sports club. Group presentations will be made to the club and individual reports submitted for assessment then selected sharing, including to Barton Inclusive Football Club and governing bodies.
Julie Donald, SBM Programme Lead commented, “Barton Inclusive Football Club has provided such a valuable opportunity for our students to work on ‘real life’ business challenges, which enriches the students learning with appreciation for the complexity of barriers and drivers to sports participation. The openness of the players from Barton Inclusive Football Club about the difficulties they face in being accepted as football players gave a real emotional impact and depth to the academic content students study on the programme”.
A second year student who participated added: “Seeing the club and volunteers in action added to our understanding of some of the challenges faced by sports clubs”.
Joel, a Barton Inclusive Football Club player summarised the importance of Barton Football Club, “being accepted as a football player and part of a team is more than football, it makes me happy and its life”.
Despite the rain, it was a great evening enjoyed by everyone and an opportunity that will be repeated in the future.