There are an estimated 30,000 children with cerebral palsy in the UK, which equates to one in every 400 children.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means problems with using the muscles.
Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage or abnormal development in the parts of the brain that control movement. These events can happen before, during, or shortly after birth or in the first few years of life, when the brain is still developing. In many cases the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not known.
Football is the world’s most popular ball sport in terms of participants and spectators. It is a team game that can be adapted in many different formats, with walking football, frame football, powerchair football and small sided formats, to name a few. Football can be a great sport to go and play at the local park, in the garden or as part of a team.
Cerebral Palsy Football (CP Football) is for people with cerebral palsy, or those who have an acquired brain injury. It is a team sport which can be played as a recreational activity, competitively at a club or at a national, regional and international level.
At Fulham FC Foundation, we believe that all players with Cerebral Palsy should have equal opportunity to play football, whether in a disability specific environment or within mainstream football, and we support our players to do just that.
At Fulham FC Foundation, we run a Para Talent Hub. The aim of the Para Talent Hub is to provide a clear player pathway into the England Para Football Squads and FA Para Football Talent Pathway. The FA fund a number of regional Para Talent Hubs, within the Para Football pathway, starting here for players which leads into Regional Emerging Talent Hub and onto the National Emerging Talent Hub. The Para Talent Hub is designed for both males and females aged 7 to 16 years, with Cerebral Palsy, Visual Impairments or Hearing Impairments, who have the ambition to play for their country.
Sessions are once a month at Fulham FC Training Ground and players have no obligation to stop any other football that they do elsewhere, in fact it is actively encouraged that where possible they take part in other disability football, mainstream and/or grassroots football in addition to the programme.
“Playing mainstream from a young age, in my opinion, has really helped me physically and mentally and has provided me with a solid foundation. Being part of the Para Talent Hub and, following that, the RETP made me feel not just utterly privileged but very proud and grateful as I have done myself good by working hard and getting to this stage. But also for the sacrifices and efforts my family have made to get me where I am today. I also feel that the RETP and Para Talent Hub are safe environments to play football and make mistakes along the way as you have high-quality coaches, not only to reassure you that everything is fine but guide you in the right direction for success and self-improvement.” - Alamine, Para Talent Hub & RETP Player
“All William dreams about is being a footballer, and while he sometimes thinks that having CP takes him further away from that dream, it also makes him even more determined to reach for it. He has been working hard at the Para Talent Hub sessions, and the FA’s recent invitation to a trial for the Regional Emerging Talent Programme has provided an enormous and well needed boost to his self-confidence and he is so excited to be considered for this pathway. Thank you Fulham Para Talent Hub for giving him this great opportunity!” - Kate, Parent of Para Talent Hub Player.
“We currently have 28 players in our Para Talent Hub, 13 with Cerebral Palsy and seven of those players have already moved into the regional emerging talent hub. This is absolutely brilliant, and something that we are really proud to have a hand in supporting the potential talent for the next generation of the England Cerebral Palsy national team!” - Katy Shephard, DisAbility Development Manager
If you or someone you know has what it takes to be a part of the Para Talent Hub, the first place to start is at an England Talent Day. Fulham FC Foundation will be hosting one of these Talent Identification Days later this year.
To find out more get in touch via disability@fulhamfc.com
