Local clubs, Trevenson, St Agnes and Truro College, will now have disability sections thanks to a project led by Cornwall FA and the support of the clubs and their sponsors.
It all started with coaching sessions which were held for eight weeks at a time. Stuart Warner led the sessions on behalf of Cornwall FA. The schemes also involved coaches from the participating clubs.
The sessions held at West Cornwall Football Development Centre were with coaches from Trevenson FC Youth The players come from three day centres in the area – Drym Valley, Kehelland and The Murdoch and Trevithick. These centres provide some outdoor activities mainly in horticulture so it was change for the men to get involved with a sport many of them already enjoy through supporting local or professional teams.
Warren Parker, Cornwall FA’s disability football development officer, says he made an initial contact with the centres in September 2008 and it grew from there, “We gave the people who were keen to play from each of the day centres the same time slot, so they got used to each other during the coaching sessions. It’s great that they have now merged into one team which Trevenson FC will take on now and further develop the players.”
Graham Tonkin, Chairman of Trevenson Youth section, says he is delighted his coaches have got involved, “Sam Kitchener started the coaching off and was joined by Mark Kavanagh, who also plays in the men’s teams. This type of commitment reflects how the club sees the meaning of football in the community – football for everyone.”
Sponsors have played a key role in establishing these disability football teams. Judy Gunn, Trevenson FC Youth Club Secretary, says,” Having the support of the sponsor means we will have the playing kit and equipment we need for the team. This enables the sponsor to feel a real part of the club. We are still looking for a sponsor for our training kit though.”
Mark Allen is the man with the cheque for £700 which he has given to Trevenson’s disability team and their under-14 and under-12 girls’ teams. Mark is managing director of All Seasons Homecare. The company, based in Hayle, arrange supplies for homes for disabled people. Mark says, “As we are part of the disability sector, we are so pleased to be able to support the new adult team at the Trevenson club. It’s a way for us to give something back to the community we work in. Basically for me, it’s good to be able to help out.”
St Agnes FC ‘s group of 20 players have come from Spectrum, Robert Owen Communities and Kehelland centres. The club has four qualified coaches, Mandy Kimmins, Anita Gittins, Lin Taylor and Rose Taylor who are supported by a number of extra volunteers every week.
The St Agnes AFC Disability Section has just been sponsored by County Councillor Richard Cooper from his Community Grant Funding and by Spectrum who create new horizons for people with Autism and have several of their service users involved in the St Agnes AFC team. The £1400 sponsorship money is being used to purchased playing and training kit and equipment, disability coaching courses, insurance and affiliation costs.
Mandy Kimmins, Chairman of St Agnes FC said, " We are delighted to be providing football for this amazing group of people, the improvement in some of their fitness, communication and confidence as well as footballing prowess has been really significant in the short space of time since we started the team. The club is really proud of our latest team and cannot wait to see them in their new sponsored strip when it arrives and to take the next step by entering into the Abilities Count League next season. On a personal note my involvement with this team is quite simply the most rewarding experience I have yet found within football - they are a pleasure to coach!"
The sponsor for Truro College’s team is Theresa Collet, owner of Miss Tee’s Café at Snowlands Leisure Park, Par.
A recent Sport England report found that despite increased availability of equipment etc, sports participation rates for disabled adults are still significantly lower than non-disabled adults. The report concluded that the focus should be on providing qualified coaches to support people with disabilities to have confidence to take part in their chosen sport. This is the essence of the Cornwall FA scheme, and where the clubs provide so invaluable a role.
There were a variety of schemes for disability football in the county started in the past, but Warren Parker says since his post has been funded there are more definite plans and a realistic and achievable way forward for disability football in Cornwall, “The players are of mixed ability and we shall be identifying those with the potential to develop their game. We should be able to field teams who are able to take part in the pan-disability Ability Counts League, in addition to our sole existing team at Callington Town. More importantly from my point of view, we can work with impairment specific groups and build up their numbers gradually during the next three to four years.”
He has made contact with Cornwall Blind Association to ascertain the level of interest in football coaching sessions there is in the county. Warren has plans to set up a cerebral palsy team in the future too.
It’s Cornwall FA’s intention to repeat this adult scheme for young people. At present, Steve Borlase coaches young players at the Dragon Centre at Bodmin.
Trevenson FC Youth are keen to have a youth disability team and have been in touch with the charity Scope to start the process. The result is a series of “soccerbility” sessions on Saturdays from 11am – noon at Camborne School.
Recently, people from the Penwith and Kerrier areas were able to take part in activities run in partnership with Cornwall FA. The day helped raised awareness of the sporting opportunities in football, trampolining and a throwing game called boccha. The day was one of a number of events which will lead to a day in June for football players.
Cornwall FA’s long term aim is to have coaching sessions leading to creating teams who will play competitive games with each other in a league and cup. A Cornwall disability centre of excellence is also planned to start in the next three years.
Powerchair football is also played in the county by Truro-based team, Celtic Storm. Called the beautiful game on wheels, the four-a-side version of football for powerchair users is played on a basketball style court and lasts for 20 minutes each way, with 10 minutes for half-time.
If you are interested in taking part or assisting with any of the disability football initiatives, please contact Warren Parker or phone 01726 74080. Clubs can be contacted through their websites.