Kicking Down Barriers: The Growth of St Mirren’s ASN Football Programme

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation is an independent charity using sport to drive positive change across Paisley and Renfrewshire. Working in communities experiencing some of Scotland’s highest levels of deprivation, including Ferguslie Park, the Foundation supports more than 10,000 people each year through programmes focused on wellbeing, education, employability, and social inclusion.

In 2025, the Foundation received a £2,600 grant from The Essentia Foundation to enhance football opportunities for young people and young adults with additional support needs (ASN). The project aimed to deliver weekly coaching sessions, form an ASN football team, and create social opportunities for around 40 participants.

Programme Growth and Delivery

The project quickly expanded beyond its original scope. Initially planned as one weekly “ability counts” session, demand grew rapidly, leading to two weekly sessions at Renfrew Sports Centre. Around 45 young adults now attend regularly, showing strong commitment and enthusiasm.

A key development was a new partnership with Mary Russell School, a local specialist education facility. For the past three months, Foundation coaches have delivered weekly football-based sessions with the school’s sports development team, further extending the programme’s reach.

The ASN team also began competing in the Pan Disability League. Monthly fixtures required careful planning around travel, communication, and safeguarding, with St Mirren FC providing the team bus—an experience that made players feel “part of the St Mirren family.”

Their passion translated into success on the pitch. The team secured two trophies—the Partick Thistle Challenge Cup and the St Mirren Challenge Cup. As Head Coach Emma Smith shared, “The boys have done brilliantly so far this season… they played brilliantly to pick up the trophies.”

Players expressed deep pride in representing the club. Defender Ryan Riley said, “I love St Mirren so it means a lot to me to represent them. I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else.”

Social Impact

Beyond football, the Foundation organised group meals, bowling trips, and visits to Hampden Park. Following their Challenge Cup win, players enjoyed a surprise visit to the St Mirren FC training ground, meeting the manager and first-team players—an experience that “put smiles on the boys’ faces,” according to Emma Smith.

Impact

The programme has strengthened confidence, friendships, physical wellbeing, and community belonging. As Ryan Riley summed up, “We have done well so far this season. I hope we can keep winning.”

If you are more interested in projects that support young people across Scotland, The Essentia Foundation will be relaunching at the end of April. 

Read more about The Essentia Foundation here.