Joelinton and Newcastle United Women’s Emily Murphy and Charlotte Wardlaw amaze at Foundation disability sessions

A trio of Newcastle United men’s and women’s players were the surprise guests taking the time to visit children and young adults at a Newcastle United Foundation disability session.

Joelinton and new signings for Newcastle United Women, Emily Murphy and Charlotte Wardlaw, were met with chants and cheers by participants enjoying a free weekly cerebral palsy football session at the Foundation’s community hub, NUCASTLE.

After observing games adapted to be inclusive for all abilities, Joelinton took on the role of referee while Murphy and Wardlaw joined in with skill-based activity to the delight of participants and their families.

The visit comes as the Foundation marks Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. The campaign supports individuals with cerebral palsy – a lifelong disorder affecting movement and posture which is the most common physical disability in children worldwide. Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month also aims to educate others about cerebral palsy and how it can affect everyday life.

Newcastle United Foundation provides free disability football coaching for adults and children with a range of disabilities through an inclusive approach to sport with more than 2,460 hours of disability sport delivered since the start of the 2024/25 season.

Irish international Murphy, who signed for Newcastle United Women alongside Wardlaw in the January transfer window, said: “This is my first time seeing what Newcastle United Foundation do in the community and my first time visiting NUCASTLE.

“The work going on here is incredible and the specialist sessions available for people of all ages and abilities is fantastic. We’ve all learnt more about how football can be adapted to be inclusive for everyone which is so important.

“I’m already looking forward to visiting the Foundation again and getting involved with their community work.”

The Foundation provides free football coaching for adults and children with disabilities through an inclusive approach to sport. During term-time, the charity’s dedicated Football Development team deliver 23 individual disability sessions every week across the North East.

Joelinton, Murphy and Wardlaw also visited a specialist Foundation session for children and adults who are registered blind or visually impaired. Using footballs that rattle, participants build confidence controlling the ball, playing individually or as a team to practice their skills.

Alex Curran, Newcastle United Foundation Sport and Wellbeing Senior Operations Manager, said: “It has been a really special evening to surprise our participants and their families with a visit from their Newcastle United and Newcastle United Women’s team heroes.

“Joelinton, Emily and Charlotte were all keen to find out more about our football development provision which creates an inclusive environment for everyone to learn, play and socialise through physical activity.

“As a Foundation, we are committed to making sport accessible for all which improves physical and mental wellbeing and we are proud to champion Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month throughout March.”

Cerebral palsy football sessions are among the Foundation’s most popular disability sessions and for one junior cerebral palsy participant, Thomas, it was a session to remember as he was invited by Joelinton to join him at St. James’ Park as a mascot when Newcastle United host Ipswich next month.

The Foundation’s free disability and wellbeing provision includes autism spectrum conditions football and support, amputee football, blind football, cerebral palsy football, deaf football, Down syndrome football, frame football, learning and physical disabilities football and support, powerchair football, and visually impaired football.

Participants report that the Foundation’s disability football sessions help them to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, provides a sense of belonging and allows them to feel motivated and part of a team.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is a national initiative and is an opportunity to inform, advocate and amplify the voices and experiences of individuals living with cerebral palsy.

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