The Aston Villa Ability Counts scheme has played a major part in Eliza Hickey’s life.

Eliza, who has been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum and with ADHD, was struggling with depression four years ago (aged 12) but the National Lottery-supported Aston Villa Ability Counts scheme offered Eliza a lifeline.

Alongside her team-mates, Eliza has since entered the Female Football Series – a pan-disability programme organised by the County FA network – and now plays for the mainstream women’s team Solihull Sporting FC.

Speaking about Eliza’s story, Jasbir Batt, Disability Football Officer at Birmingham County FA, said: “We are very grateful in creating a positive experience around female disability football on an individual’s (Eliza) journey. Through this, Eliza has achieved many great things through the power of football which has broken down many barriers (this certainly hasn’t been easy). Now competing at a good standard of mainstream football is a credit to her and the supporting networks, from mum Maree to Nigel, the Disability Football Manager at Aston Villa Football Club.”

To read Eliza’s story in full, please see the article below. 

If you’d like to find out more about disability football in the Birmingham county region, please email Jasbir on jasbir.batt@birminghamfa.com