Beyond Barriers
by: BTM - Fri, 06 Feb 2026
A new football programme in Bahrain is opening the pitch to neurodivergent children, pairing structured coaching with a calmer, more supportive environment designed to help young players thrive.
Beyond Barriers is a collaboration between 24N Sports Academy and Brain Wave Bahrain, created for neurodivergent children aged eight to 13. The sessions take place on Thursdays at Centraal Club, Hamala, starting on February 5, from 4pm-4.50pm.
A calmer pitch
Sean Brereton, Co-Founder and Head of Football at 24N Academy, says the initiative has been building for some time, shaped by what coaches were seeing in regular sessions. Mr. Brereton says: “The idea has been discussed for a year and we’ve tried to get the idea off the ground in the past, but it wasn’t until Brain Wave came along that we saw a clear, structured path forward.”
He explains that some children who are neurodivergent have joined mainstream training previously, but the environment has not always supported them to succeed. Mr. Brereton says: “Kids who have difficulties focusing for long periods of time naturally struggle a little and busy sessions aren’t necessarily a good environment for them, leading to clashes with other kids and getting left behind in terms of development.”
The answer, he believes, is smaller groups and approaches that are better matched to how these children learn and engage, with the 24N team receiving specific training to provide sessions with more visual aids.
Building skills and belonging
While football is the hook, the goals go well beyond technique. The programme is positioned as a structured space to learn skills, build confidence, make friends and experience the feeling of being part of a team. Mr. Brereton says: “My own life experiences have led me to be empathetic to young players who deserve sessions more tailored to their needs and to allow them to feel included. We are launching Beyond Barriers as a pilot programme, with an aim to provide a more long-term arrangement after Eid. I’m really excited to be able to offer something for everyone here at 24N.”
For Brain Wave, the partnership is about expanding the range of meaningful group activities available for children with special abilities, while using sport as a pathway to social connection. A representative said: Brain Wave’s collaboration with 24N Academy marks a transformative step forward in providing neurodivergent children with the enriching experience of team sports through football.
“This partnership addresses the critical need for additional group activities tailored for children with special abilities, and we are proud to offer this invaluable opportunity. Football promotes essential social skills such as teamwork and communication, enhances physical coordination and fitness, and fosters mental resilience by encouraging goal-setting and discipline. Together, we are creating a supportive
environment where every child can thrive and build lasting friendships.”
Spaces for Beyond Barriers are limited and filling fast.
For more information or to register:
[email protected]
Call: +97337549322
@24nsportsacademy
