GB Paralympian visits Northampton

In conjunction with the FA, Northamptonshire FA and Northampton Town FITC, the Goalkeeper of the England Cerebral Palsy Senior Squad visited the Northamptonshire Disability Centre of Excellence, on Friday 11th February to work with the counties players. Leon Taylor has represented the England CP Team at international level and represented Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

Leon answered questions, from players and parents, on the journey he took from grassroots level all the way through to England and Great Britain teams. It was a chance for players within the Disability Centre of Excellence to learn about the opportunities available to play for England and how to overcome the perceived barriers to achieving this very realistic goal.

The Northamptonshire Disability Centre of Excellence is just one step on the pathway to play for England Impairment Squads, just like Leon.

The centre consists of two squads: under-14 (11-14 year olds) and under-18 (15-18). Both squads train on Friday evenings at Moulton College from 7:00pm to 8:30pm and cater for any of the following impairment groups: Cerebral Palsy, Visually Impaired, Deaf, Amputee or Learning Disabilities.

The centre will consider any young person with a disability and should a player be recruited they will be actively encouraged to continue playing for their current team - this is an extra opportunity that shouldn't affect current playing opportunities.

Should this be something of some interest or if you would like more information please contact Shaun Waite, Disability Football Development Officer, 07983 537025, Shaun.Waite@NorthamptonshireFA.com or visit www.northamptonshirefa.com/development