Soccer for kids and adults with autism

Soccer, or football as it is often called in Australia, works well for many players with autism because it can be scaled to almost any level. A young child kicking a ball in a small group is playing soccer. A teenager on an All Abilities team representing their club is also playing soccer. The pathway between the two is well developed.

Football NSW runs football4all, its statewide programme for players with disability. Clubs across NSW deliver football4all sessions during the winter season, with an annual Gala Day bringing teams together for a friendly competition. Coaches are trained to adapt sessions for neurodivergent players and to communicate clearly, keep instructions short, and build predictable session routines.

Inclusive football clubs across Sydney and regional NSW run All Abilities streams alongside their mainstream teams. Programmes like Sutherland Shire Football's Titans, Winston Hills FC All Abilities, and Macarthur Magic Special Needs Football Club all run weekly sessions during the winter season, welcoming children and young people of all abilities. Registration is usually modest, and many clubs offer their first session free to see whether it is a fit.

For families in the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Illawarra, and Sydney metro, there are dedicated All Abilities clubs listed in the programme directory below. If your area is not listed, contact Football NSW directly to find your closest partner club.

Adults with autism who want competitive soccer can join the Football NSW AWD Thunder or Lightning futsal teams, which represent NSW at the National Futsal Championships. This is the elite pathway, but many players start at their local All Abilities club and progress from there.