Albion’s young powerchair footballers have been bringing through the next generation by delivering coaching sessions of their own.
In partnership with Queen Alexandra College, the course aims to develop the students’ powerchair football skills, as well as improving them as coaches.
“The idea is to help them develop as powerchair football players and also preparing them for life after college,” said Paul Hunt, Senior Disability Development Officer at the Foundation.
“Some of them are leaving at the end of the year, and it’s built a lot of confidence in them in the years that they’ve been on the course, for some of them it's been life-changing,” he said.
Students from Sherbourne Fields School and Victoria School took on tips from Albion’s latest coaches, before facing off in a game later in the day.
The pupils from Sherbourne Fields have been learning from the young coaches for the past six weeks, and it has been a great benefit according to Lisa James, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at the school.
“It’s been very beneficial and helped their teamwork, confidence and self-esteem. Because we’re very limited with what sports are out there, it has been a great benefit,” she said.
Matthew Gilbert, an aspiring coach and current WBA Powerchair first-team player, says the Foundation’s Powerchair Football Programme has given him opportunities which would not have been possible otherwise.
“Powerchair football means the world to me because it’s the only kind of sport that I can get involved in. I love playing it that much that I can’t imagine myself really playing anything else,” said Matthew.
“The Foundation has really helped me; my confidence mainly and introducing me to football and coaching kids. Seeing them happy is a good feeling so they have really changed my life.”
To get involved or find out more about Albion’s powerchair football programme, please contact Paul Hunt on paul.hunt@albionfoundation.co.uk.