The club has been celebrating a prestigious award for Bob Young, its founder and coach. Bob was named the FA’s National Coach of the Year – Disability Pathway at a ceremony during the Community Shield fixture at Wembley Stadium. Since he established the club a few years ago, it has grown from 6 players to over 35 and has become a place for children with cerebral palsy to play football and make friends.
Bob said, ‘it’s amazing to receive this award and I am truly humbled – but although it has come to me, it really is an award for absolutely everyone. The families are just incredible and everyone works so hard.”
Bob initially established the club for his son Casey to have the opportunity to play football with children with similar challenges. “Casey loves football but was playing in a mainstream club; he could not get close to the ball because he was playing with children that did not have a disability.I wanted to establish a club for children with cerebral palsy so everyone had the opportunity to play on a level playing field. Since then I have found the community aspect of the club is vital for both parents and players”
Training is at the Imperial Sports Ground in Bristol every Saturday, which is attended by more than thirty families. It is continuing to grow, and several players are now on the England Talent Pathway.
The Club’s ambition is to build on this success, and it plans to host the International Cerebral Palsy Football Festival in Bristol next summer. All families are working hard to raise funds and secure sponsorship for the event, which will benefit children not just from the Bristol area, but from across Europe too.
Bob Young – FA Disability Coach of the Year 2023
