This summer hundreds of young people from across England and Wales took part in three Premier League Disability Football Festivals.
The pan-disability events, featuring more than 50 professional clubs, celebrate the work that takes place all year round to make football accessible for all.
Here are the stories from some of those involved.
Rosie (Liverpool)
For 16-year-old Rosie, attending inclusive autism football sessions with Premier League Kicks has not only boosted her confidence but given her the platform to follow her passion of helping others.
Rosie joined the Liverpool Foundation seven years ago when, as a shy nine-year-old, she followed in the footsteps of her brother in attending the Premier League Kicks programme.
"I was a bit anxious and overwhelmed by it," she says. "I wouldn't really go in and start playing football because there were so many people and it was a new thing."
At first, Rosie wouldn't leave the sides of her coaches but with their encouragement, she began to get more involved in the activities.
"The coaches ask you how you are, if you want to join in, if you would like them to be with you in the session," she says. "It's up to us about what we want to do. That works with many people because a lot do struggle with stuff like that."
This one-to-one support came into its own during the COVID pandemic when, like so many others, Rosie found lockdowns and the subsequent isolation hard to deal with.
"I had bad mental health and I had a difficult time," she says. "But Liverpool offered me video calls as well as someone to sit in with me throughout all the online sessions to make me feel comfortable.
"They were there for me and helped me massively. It's turned my life around."
Rosie is now using her experiences to inspire and help others.
As well as taking part in social action projects as part of the Liverpool Foundation's Youth Panel, she was last year selected as one of 82 new #iwill Ambassadors from across the UK.
These Ambassadors campaign, volunteer or fundraise to make a difference in their local communities and with this role, Rosie is travelling across the UK to meet other young people and to learn about the issues that are affecting them.
"There are so many opportunities and I'd say to anyone to get involved in social action, because it's just amazing," she says.
"I'm proud of myself because the difference in me from five years ago has been mind-blowing.
"If I hadn't joined the Foundation, I don't know where I'd be today. I've changed into a better person. I wouldn’t go out or talk to anyone. I'm not shy now!"
The Premier League Disability Football Festivals are a celebration of how Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars connect young people aged from five to 18 with football, providing positive opportunities to help them to reach their potential.
Also in this series
Part 1: Premier League Disability Football Festival celebrates inclusivity
Part 2: How PL Disability Football Festivals make a difference
Part 4: Declan's story: PL Kicks made me feel better about myself
Part 5: Matt Crossen: Disability programme creates unbelievable opportunities
Part 6: Elliott's story: Representing Burnley is a great experience
