Co. Tyrone man sets up neurodiverse football club in Omagh

A TATTYREAGH man who has spent most of his career working as a coach in professional football in England has started a club for neurodiverse children in Omagh.

Moving across the Irish Sea at the tender age of 18, Tommy Walsh (34) subsequently found himself coaching at clubs such as Liverpool, Everton and Accrington Stanley, as well as a stint working for the Football Association (FA).

Now, having made the move home, he has established Neuro Diverse Football Club (NDFC) to provide children of all ages and abilities an opportunity to develop their social, emotional and physical skills through the platform of football.

The father of a young child with autism, Tommy said he couldn’t help but notice a ‘massive gap’ in relation to football for neurodiverse kids.

‘OPEN TO ALL’

His football club is open to all, but with special considerations made for children who are either waiting on assessment or have been diagnosed with a neurodivergent need.

Tommy has started organising regular training events at the Station Centre in Omagh, with hopes of expanding its potential throughout Ulster and beyond.

Speaking with the UlsterHerald this week, the ambitious Tattyreagh man shared his story of how working for some of the biggest clubs in football inspired him to take a leap of faith and start what he hopes to develop into a coaching academy for neurodiverse children.

“I went to England at the age of 18 to study at university and somehow ended up landing a job with Liverpool football club,” he explained.

“Through that, I did a lot of work with young kids, but quite quickly progressed and had the opportunity to travel much of the world representing the club and hosting coaching clinics.”

Shortly after, Tommy was offered a full-time role with the Football Association, and he spent ten years with them undertaking a variety of roles.

He said, “With the FA, I was hosting Skill Centre Sessions, which is ultimately what the model for NDFC is based on.”

Tommy then progressed into coach education and delivering coaching courses to coaches coming through the pathway. Before returning to Ireland, he spent six years working for Everton FC.

“Now that I’m back in Ireland, I’m working for the Finn Harps U-20 men’s squad.

“I’m also working with ICM Stellar Sports, but as the father of a wee boy with autism, I couldn’t help but notice a massive gap in relation to football for neurodiverse kids.

“With so many football associations talking about ‘football for all’, I asked myself, “Where is the opportunities for neurodiverse children?”

Tommy explained that throughout his years of coaching and working among some of the biggest clubs in football, that he would see a lot of coaches ‘lose themselves’ in the pursuit of winning.

“Sometimes, such a competitive approach can put a neurodiverse child off taking part in the likes of football,” he explained.

HAVING FUN

“With NDFC, it’s all about having fun and getting enjoyment out of it.

“With the experience I’ve gained in coaching over the years, I thought I’d give it a go, and it has been met so far with an extremely positive response.

“So now, I’m just hoping to build on that and promote and hold as many sessions as we possibly can.”

Tommy said that the main focus of NDFC is to offer kids an opportunity.

“The big thing for me is that they feel like they belong to an inclusive environment and they never feel like that don’t fit in,” he explained.

“That, essentially, is what is driving this whole project.”

In the long run, Tommy is hoping that NDFC can develop into what he describes as a ‘proper academy’ in its own right.

“I would love to set something up within each county in Ulster,” he said.

SUCCESS

“Maybe some kids won’t want to go on to play mainstream football, but if they do, that would be a massive success.

“But if they don’t, then we can still continue to hold our own in-house leagues where they can play in a controlled and safe environment.

“I was recently in Dublin with the Finn Harps, and there was a cerebral palsy league taking place.

“It was absolutely fantastic how it was run, and I found myself looking at it and thinking that it is the sort of thing I would love for the kids in NDFC.”

If anyone is interested or would like more information of the Neuro Diverse Football Club, they can email Tommy at thomas.walsh@neurodiversefc.com.

“We are also on Instagram as well,” explained Tommy.

“We use our Instagram platform to not only promote the sessions, but to serve as a community to help parents of neurodiverse kids.

“I put up a lot of content there based around parental support and how to manage the overall societal view of neurodiversity.

“You can find us there by searching: ndfc.2024.”