Story added: 26th October 2021

A chance to represent the Canaries against other clubs from across the country

Talented footballers with cerebral palsy are representing the Canaries nationally this season, thanks to the Community Sports Foundation’s participation in a national league.

The league – organised by disability sport organisation Cerebral Palsy Sport – pits the Canaries monthly against equivalent sides from across the UK, including Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Norwich City Cerebral Palsy team

Darren Hunter, the Foundation’s Disability Development manager, accompanied the team on their first fixture day at a central venue in Northampton, where they produced two wins out of two:

“The team are all young – aged between 17 and 25 – but many of the team have been playing with us from a young age through our disability pathway, so they know each other very well.

“It’s a very talented team, and the league gives them the perfect platform to showcase what they can do, as well as providing invaluable experience.”

The squad includes Bradley Taylor-Buglione and Foundation community coach Owen Woodrow, who are both part of the FA’s national performance pathway.

The team are funded by money raised through Foundation fundraising activities, including the Win a Lotus competition that closes on Sunday 31^stOctober.

“It’s exciting to have another step of the pathway in place for young footballers with Cerebral Palsy in Norfolk.”

“We’ve got a great bunch of guys in the team – lots of camaraderie, so it should be a really fun season.”

Alongside their weekly pan-disability sessions, the Foundation runs the FA Para Football Talent Hub in the East of England. The aim of the Para Talent Hub is to provide a clear player pathway to the England para football national squads.

As well as catering for males and females with cerebral palsy, the Foundation also runs FA Talent Hub sessions for those with visual or hearing impairments.

To find out more about our cerebral palsy sessions, click here.