Serge joins futsal session for young people with disabilities

A group of students with learning disabilities were joined by a special guest this afternoon (Thursday 16 January) when Serge Aurier visited their school to take part in a futsal session.

The session at Riverside School, a special educational needs (SEN) school on White Hart Lane, was part of a new futsal club delivered by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

The programme uses the indoor five-a-side variant of football to help students improve their technique and control, while building confidence and social skills.

During the session, students were given the opportunity to ask Serge questions about his football career and what it’s like playing for Spurs.

He was then put through his paces alongside the teenagers in a series of futsal drills, learning skills specific to the small-sided game.

The Foundation works with several SEN schools within the Club’s local community, designing bespoke PE programmes to meet the needs of students with a range of disabilities. These include adapted activities such as NFL-inspired flag games, sports leadership courses and futsal.

By giving young people with disabilities access to one-to-one coaching and support at school, the Club aims to help integrate participants into mainstream activities it delivers within the wider community, including Kicks and other free football programmes.

Speaking at the event, Serge said: “It was great to meet the kids and play some futsal with them. Taking time out of the day to go and meet local young people is one of the best things we can do as players to give back to the community. Hopefully it was a special experience for them.”

Spurs fan Harry, a Riverside pupil, said: “It was amazing to have Serge come and visit us at our futsal club – it has made everyone’s day!”

Dan Slaughter, Senior Coordinator at the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation said: “Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do as a Club. Through programmes like these, we are creating a positive environment for young people with disabilities to take part in sport, develop their self-esteem and have fun.”