Sunderland side enjoy "Greatest Day Ever' in reaching SEND Cup Final

Foundation of Light partnered with Harry Watts Academy to give young people with special educational needs and disabilities the chance to take part in the Premier League’s Disability Football Festival.

Through the ‘Wear 4 All’ project, Foundation of Light is increasing opportunities for young people with SEND to take part in sports and activity.

Pupils from Harry Watts Academy proudly represented Sunderland AFC in the Northern SEND Cup. With little prior experience of competing as a team, it took some time to settle in. However, after securing a 4-4 draw against Wrexham in the first game, the Sunderland side went unbeaten in their group stage.

Victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively earned the Black Cats a place in the final against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After a competitive and enthralling 4-4 draw, Wolves came out on top in the penalty shootout.

While the final defeat left the pupils with a feeling of disappointment, they were reminded of how far they had come, and how well they represented their school, the Foundation of Light, and Sunderland AFC throughout the competition.

Having not taken part in a tournament like this before, the pupils from Harry Watts went undefeated in normal time, with one pupil commenting: “I never thought I would ever get the chance to do something like this in my life. Greatest day ever!”

Foundation of Light’s Wear 4 All programme returns for the summer, offering five weeks of fun and development for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

From sports camps to summer away days including horse riding, water sports, and bowling, it’s set to be an exciting summer with the Foundation of Light.

To see our SEND summer holiday courses: Click Here