NeuroDiverse Football London (NDFL)

Inclusive football for autistic and neurodiverse children in North London

NeuroDiverse Football London (NDFL) is a sports initiative based in North London that designs and runs football sessions adapted for autistic, neurodiverse and SEN children. The project was founded by Max Mishcon, a UEFA C licensed coach with professional experience in specialist education.

Origins and approach of the project

Max Mishcon, founder and head coach, has seven years of experience coaching football in performance squads, private sessions and school settings. His personal connection to autism, present on both sides of his family, led him to study Education with Psychology at the University of Bath to deepen his theoretical knowledge of the condition. He currently combines his work at NDFL with his role as a form tutor and teaching assistant at one of the UK's leading schools for autistic pupils.

The observation that many conventional football sessions are competitive, frenetic and insensitive to the sensory and communication needs of these children led to the creation of NDFL. The project is based on the idea that exclusion is not due to a limitation of the child, but to the design of the activity.

Services and session formats

NDFL structures its offer into three main formats:

• Weekly term-time sessions: two one-hour sessions on Saturday mornings at Lyonsdown School in New Barnet. Players are grouped by age, ability and needs.
• Holiday camps: three 90-minute sessions during school holidays, with grouping by age, ability and needs.
• 1:1 individual sessions: bespoke sessions according to each child's goals and needs, with adaptable location and duration.

All formats offer flexible booking options and block booking discounts. The site's catalogue indicated availability for the October half-term football camp.

Methodology and adaptation

Activities and coaching style are tailored to each player's abilities, interests and needs. Sessions are organised by age, ability and needs, and are delivered by UEFA C qualified coaches with SEN experience. Small groups are maintained with a high coach-to-player ratio, and regular breaks, sensory toys and breakout activities are incorporated.

The environment is defined as low arousal and non-competitive, with the aim that children build confidence, make friends and enjoy football. The project emphasises values such as teamwork, overcoming adversity and self-belief, with the goal of developing players as people, not just as footballers.

Audience and inclusion philosophy

NDFL welcomes children of all ages, abilities, diagnoses and needs. Communication with families is based on active listening, in order to design sessions dedicated to each child's goals and needs. The project defines itself as growth-oriented and solution-based, with clear and honest communication.

Family feedback

Testimonials on Trustpilot highlight the coaches' patience and understanding of each child's individual needs, the balance between group activities and individual attention, and the difficulty of finding inclusive activities for non-verbal children. The reviews emphasise the safety and inclusiveness of the environment, as well as families' recommendation of the service.

Location and contact

Hours: Saturday mornings, two one-hour sessions