FADBT

West Riding FA Disability Talent Hub A Success

West Riding FA Disability Talent Hub A Success

West Riding FA ran 12 England Disability Talent Hub sessions from November 2018 until May 2019, providing sessions for players who are deaf, partially sighted or suffers from cerebral palsy.

The England Disability Talent Hub is an FA programme that provides young footballers in the area an opportunity to progress from their grassroots club to a designated development centre on the England Talent Pathway.

23 players engaged with this year’s England Disability Talent Hub, 7 with cerebral palsy, 3 visually impaired and 8 deaf.

9 of those players were invited to the next stage, the Regional Emerging Talent Programme.

Disability Football Development Officer, Colan Leung, said “It was great to see players develop as footballers and as individuals over the 12 sessions and the feedback from the players, coaches and parents were very positive.

The Talent Hub managed to engage with a lot of disability players across the County so hopefully we will get to see even more next year.”

Paul Young, one of the Talent Hub Coaches, said “The Talent Hub programme was run well, and I loved Rebecca Kemp's presentation for her experience, determination and England pathway.  It was good to see the 'end product'.

A parent of one of the players said “Ryan's touch and confidence on the ball have definitely improved.  He is not the quickest because of his CP but he was still able to feel involved by passing the ball quickly and accurately to team mates.”

On Sunday 7th July, West Riding FA is running an England Talent Day for disability players in West Riding who are looking to progress on the England Talent Pathway.

More information on our England Talent Day here.