In December, 1996 I first met football players in electric wheelchairs, at Clairefontaine. Being extremely interested and curious to see how these young people played football in their strange contraptions, I went to watch their championship final a couple of months later. To see them play with so much dexterity and enthusiasm, the idea of disability quickly disappeared and I discovered true sportsmen! Since then I have become one of their most passionate supporters and I have had the pleasure of attending matches to encourage them many times. With the (more…)

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For a while I had been following football and watching my sister play regularly, I loved watching but wished I could play. I never had the opportunity until Powerchair football was introduced in England. From the moment I touched a ball, I knew this was the sport for me. I was excited as I played my first game and was also lucky enough to have some natural talent for the game. The more I played, the more the opportunities I wanted to play. I loved the game so much I did a coaching qualification so I could help spread the game and teach others to play it. I have been lucky enough to represent England previously and the honour and joy of putting on your countries shirt.

However. Powerchair football has its downs too. I didn’t make the England team for the first world cup, which had been my dream to play in since I started playing six years before. At this point, it felt like my world had come crashing down around me. But I used this as leverage to go on and achieve more within the sport. My team are currently top of the national league and I’m the vice-captain.

Powerchair football has given me happiness, sadness, tears and excitement. But most of all it’s given me a sense of what can be achieved and nothing is impossible.

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Power soccer is very challenging to me because it makes me have to think about every second that I’m on the court and know exactly where to be and when to hit the ball. I have to be able to maneuver my chair very well to be able to place the ball where it needs to be, whether it is passing or scoring. Power soccer has made a big difference in my life. I have become more confident in every aspect of my life. Growing up and watching my sister play softball at a high level, I never through I would be able to do anything like that. Now, the fact that I am part of this high level competitive team is a dream come true. When I play power soccer, I feel so pumped by the challenge of the game and I have learned so much from my teammates, opponents, and my current coach, who happens to be my dad. These individuals make me strive to be a better player and a better person. To be part of the USA National Power Soccer Team is the biggest honor I’ve ever had. Representing my country along with my fellow teammates is so very exciting. You have many opportunities throughout your life but there are some dreams you think you will never get to do. It is still so unbelievable to me to see this dream become a reality.

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