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Reach hosts inclusive autism-friendly football match

Reach hosts inclusive autism-friendly football match

Daily Tribune28-04-2025

Reach Behavior and Development Center proudly celebrated the success of its Autism-Friendly Football Match, held at Kick-Off in Partnership with Tekkers Football Academy on April 24, 2025. Designed to create a safe and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum, the event brought together families, volunteers, and community partners for an afternoon of inclusive play, teamwork, and joy.
Recognizing that traditional sports settings can be challenging for neurodiverse children, Reach organized the match to ensure every child could participate without barriers. Highlights included adaptive drills led by Tekkers, sensory-friendly accommodations, and football giveaways donated by Mövenpick Bahrain to encourage continued play beyond the event.
'This is what true inclusion looks like - no barriers, no limits, just pure joy. You could see it in their smiles - today, they weren't kids with differences; they were just kids playing football, making memories, and feeling free. That's the kind of world we're working toward every single day,' said Mona Tadayyon, Founder and CEO of Reach.
The even tunder scores Reach's ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers for the autism community through collaborative, hands-on initiatives during Autism Awareness Month.

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Autism-Friendly Football Match by Reach Behaviour and Development Center
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As part of Autism Awareness Month, Reach Behavior and Development Center held an Autism-Friendly Football Match at Kick-Off , in collaboration with Tekkers Football Academy . The initiative aimed to provide a supportive, inclusive environment where children on the autism spectrum could engage in physical activity without pressure or barriers. The event brought together families, volunteers, and community partners for an afternoon of structured yet flexible play. Designed with the specific needs of neurodiverse children in mind, the match incorporated sensory-friendly adjustments and adaptive drills, offering participants the opportunity to engage at their own pace. Recognising that standard sports settings can be overwhelming for some children, Reach and Tekkers tailored the programme to ensure comfort and accessibility. The initiative formed part of Reach's broader mission to promote social inclusion and community awareness for children with special needs. In support of the event, Mövenpick Bahrain donated football giveaways, encouraging continued play beyond the match. 'Today, they weren't children with differences—they were just children playing football, making memories, and feeling free,' said Mona Tadayyon, Founder and CEO of Reach. The event reflects a growing commitment to inclusive community initiatives in Bahrain and demonstrates how collaboration between educational institutions and local partners can create a meaningful impact.

Reach hosts inclusive autism-friendly football match
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Reach Behavior and Development Center proudly celebrated the success of its Autism-Friendly Football Match, held at Kick-Off in Partnership with Tekkers Football Academy on April 24, 2025. Designed to create a safe and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum, the event brought together families, volunteers, and community partners for an afternoon of inclusive play, teamwork, and joy. Recognizing that traditional sports settings can be challenging for neurodiverse children, Reach organized the match to ensure every child could participate without barriers. Highlights included adaptive drills led by Tekkers, sensory-friendly accommodations, and football giveaways donated by Mövenpick Bahrain to encourage continued play beyond the event. 'This is what true inclusion looks like - no barriers, no limits, just pure joy. You could see it in their smiles - today, they weren't kids with differences; they were just kids playing football, making memories, and feeling free. That's the kind of world we're working toward every single day,' said Mona Tadayyon, Founder and CEO of Reach. The even tunder scores Reach's ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers for the autism community through collaborative, hands-on initiatives during Autism Awareness Month.

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