CP Sport Football League

CP Sport with the help of volunteer Andy Millington from Yorkshire Cerebral Palsy Football Club (Yorkshire CP FC) are running a football league for ambulant cerebral palsy footballers aged 12-16 beginning on the 26^th February 2012. There will be fixtures in Sheffield, Manchester, Leicester, Nottingham and Featherstone and we are looking for new parents to come forward to set up some new grassroots football clubs across other regions to ensure there is a sustainable football structure for the long-term.

Ambulant Cerebral Palsy Football creates a fairer game of football for ambulant players with a physical disability. In the majority of cases the reason people do not play ambulant cerebral palsy football is because they can't find enough players to make a team, so resort to pan disability games as the only other option. If you want to play grass roots cerebral palsy football please get in contact with our charity and help us to build a larger pool of players and teams to ensure players can have more regular impairment specific football.

The CP Sport Football League will enable players the opportunity of developing individual skills within a team environment, encased in an impairment competitive structure. Furthermore the league will contribute to the development of the Football Association/England Cerebral Palsy Regional and National Squads, through talent identification.

CP Sport Football Development

We are also running football development sessions on the same days as the league for players aged 5-11 with the help of an amazing football coach called Steve Beswick. Steve is from Manchester has lots of experience of coaching and his own son Lewis will also be playing football in these events. Walking sticks, canes, crutches and open fronted walking frames are all welcome at these sessions.

What makes these football events different?

There is more to football than just turning up to kick a ball at the weekend. We believe the social side of sport is just as important and aim to bring parents and players from across the whole country together to swap notes, prevent isolation and make friends for life. The well-being that sport gives you will help you to improve your confidence and health. If you can get these two things right at a young age it will follow you throughout the rest of your life.

We also recognise that not everyone wants to become a paralympian. In fact, many of the people turning up to our events aspire to become coaches, volunteers and sports development officers.

CP Sport fills the gap for those young people who are not going to make it in to the talent program. We are here to offer you a structure and a high standard competition. Whatever your goal, we're here to help you.

• All of the players taking part in the football league and development sessions will have plenty of time on the ball.
• We welcome all standards of playing ability and ensure every player who registers to take part in the league gets a game of football.
• The CP Sport Football League is not about winning at all costs! This is a family friendly environment where we promote creativity, sportsmanship and team work.

Fixtures

To register for any of the football events please call Dermot on 07954 655 539 or email: dermot.dolan@cpsport.org