On Sunday 30th April, Fulham FC Foundation hosted an England Para Talent Day at Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park.
England Para Talent Days are utilised as a player's first engagement with the Para Football Pathway, and as the first selective environment in the player pathway. The programme will identify and signpost players to the ‘right’ environment at that point in time and seeks to feed the subsequent Regional and National levels of the pathway. The Para Football player pathway runs alongside, rather than instead of, any football that players already participate in, so does not compromise or replace any current involvement in the game.
Over 25 young people with cerebral palsy, hearing impairments or visual impairments, attended our England Para Talent day, which consisted of a presentation about the England Para Football Pathway to all players and parents, followed by a training session in the Dome with the Fulham FC Foundation and FA Coaches.
“We were asked to host one of the England Talent Days for The FA as we are one of the licenced providers for the FA Para Talent Hub Programme. There was a great deal of talent on show on the day and it allowed us to identify and signpost players to the ‘right’ environment for them at that point in time. We are really proud to be partnered with the FA and their England Para Talent Pathway and I believe our day was the second highest attended day so far in the FA Talent ID Days calendar this summer, with only their opening Talent ID day at St George's Park having a higher attendance!” - Katy Shephard, Fulham FC Foundation DisAbility Development Manager.
Over 50% of the players who attended our England Talent Day have been referred into a Para Talent Hub programme, and a further six players have been offered a place on either the Regional or National Emerging Talent Pathways. In addition, four players who are registered blind were also offered a place at the England Talent Pathway session at St George's Park at the end of May 2023.
If you think you, or someone you know, has what it takes to be involved in the England Para Talent Pathway and would like any information about the pathway or the Fulham Para Talent Hub, please do not hesitate to get in touch with DisAbility Development Manager Katy Shephard by email on: disability@fulhamfc.com
