Wigan Athletic striker Paul Mullin 'brings joy' to Latics' Adult Disability team in penalty session | OneFootball

The Latics' striker took part in a community initiative funded by the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund

Wigan Athletic striker Paul Mullin recently took the time to coach the club's Adult Disability Football Team at their official training facilities, showcasing how to take the perfect penalty.

The initiative was organised in conjunction with the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, celebrating the Wigan Athletic Community Trust (WACT) receiving a £30,102 to further support their Every Player Counts initiative for the upcoming three seasons - right up to the 2027/28 campaign.

The eight-figure grant will help cover the costs of facilities, equipment, travel and a wide range of other day-to-day facets during said timeframe.

The Every Player Counts initiative is open to adults with a wide range of disabilities, with weekly footballing sessions on offer as well as the chance of competing in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts Football League.

It is an initiative which not only supports the physical wellbeing of participants, but ensures that confidence and friendships can be built and, in turn, helping boost their social skills. Training sessions are provided on Wednesdays and matches in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts Football League take place on Friday nights.

During the session, Mullin was seen putting the squad through their paces with penalty-kick drills as he led a special training session for those involved on behalf of Sky Bet. The Wrexham loanee has previously spoken about the challenges he and his wife have faced in parenthood following the diagnosis of their son, Albi.

The 30-year-old is also an ambassador for Wrexham-based charity, Your Space, which offers support to young people with the same condition, with the initiative at Wigan also close to his heart for the same reasons.

“I think we’re in a very privileged position to play football for a living. I know we work extremely hard to get here, but so many people would love to swap places with us, so it’s only right us as players but also the clubs do what we can to look after the community and local people. I like to be on hand to help where I can, it’s something that fills me with joy and sessions like this help bring joy to those who haven’t been as fortunate in life," Mullin said via Sky Bet.

“My son Albi is autistic. He was non-verbal for quite a few years but luckily over the last few months he’s come on leaps and bounds. The challenges he faces is something we face as a family together; it’s our job as parents to give him the pathways to overcome them and that’s exactly what Wigan Athletic Community Trust is doing with these lads. The football gives them an opportunity to get over any obstacles they face in their life," he added.

Jamie Cook, the Wigan Athletic Community Trust's Health Engagement Manager also spoke about how beneficial the £30,102 is to ensure the long-term future of the initiative.

“We’re very lucky to have received a £30,120 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, it will allow us to continue the Every Player Counts Programme for another three years, which has been lifechanging for some of the participants. The grant means we can offer the sessions for free, so there are no barriers, and anyone can come along to the session and just play football," he stated.

“It will also help us continue being part of the Ability Counts League. We can take the group over to Salford to play competitive football, it gives them an opportunity to represent the club and wear the kit. It makes them feel part of a network, part of the club and part of the trust which is hugely important for them.”

The grant is part of the latest round of funding from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, which gave nine EFL club charities a share of £520,000.