[stevieb]

Hi all - maybe you are in the same position as us and really struggle to get 'fair play' in a sporting context for your son/daughter?
Now I wont pretend this is going to benefit everyone as there 'is' provision for some disability aspects out there but what I found was that there is very little out there for 'Moderate' Cp - what I mean by this is for those children who can walk - but cannot run at speed.
If you see calmsoccer.com - this is totally free by the way - I have recenlty been involved with CP Sport - a charity who have done some great work with providing sporting opprtunities for children with CP. However, unfortunatley - funding issues seem to have become a sticking point lately - but in the past 4 months - I have been able to get this 'category' going! We went to the London Soccerdome twice and set up a session/matches for children specific to this category. Anyway, as I always say - travelling is the key!!
If your child fits into this category and would like sporting opportunities then please take a look. It includes children who can walk unaided - those who may have sticks/open fronted walking frames etc. There 'are' many children with milder CP who can run at speed- these were placed in separate groups at the Soccerdome - and there 'are' opportunities already in existence on a regional basis here. However, there is nothing (as far as I know it) for this 'middle' bit! Anyway, please feel free to take a look - plse see 'Disability Page' (as this is just the category' re non-running at speed - it does 'not' just mean for children with CP - but any disability which puts them in this position. A new astro is currently under construction in manchester and will perfectly fit the bill - smaller so less distance to cover...and lots of touches!! Yes, football is the main focus to start with, but this will soon spread out to many other sports. I am a qualified FA coach and PE teacher so any questions then plse fire away. Cheers Steve

[N+J]

Hello Steve,

I am interested in this sort of thing for my son. He is nearly 5 and loves sport. My son is a fast runner, but not able to swing both arms in a cross patterned way as he runs, so I suppose it does make him slower than other children without disabilities.

He has hemiplegia and is weaker on his left side.

Are there any groups like this in London? We live in Walthamstow. I have looked on the CP Sport website but not really found anything.

Thank you,

Nicola.

[stevieb]

Hi Nicola - if you contacted Dermot at CP Sport - he may be able to help you more. However, when we were last down at the Soccerdome - Chelsea seemed to be very active in the CP area - if your son can run fast - then you could contact them. I also saw coaches from Tottenham and QPR if that helps ? cheers Steve

[N+J]

OK. Thanks Steve.

We live near Tottenham. And they sponsor quite a lot of summer things in this area, so Samuel did a week with them this summer holidays. But it wasn't just football, it was all sorts of sports. I couldn't get from them if they do regular stuff throughout the year though and again their website is really confusing, I think.

Are you saying that I should find out if any of the London football clubs run clubs specially for children with CP? Is that what I should do?

Sorry to be a bit thick about this.

Nicola.

[jaynepick]

Hi
we took my son Sam (10) to the CP Sport Soccerdome session that Steve has mentioned - he has mild left hemi and although he can run he is slower than his friends who don't have any disabilities.
He had the most fabulous time and has now joined Chelsea pan disability team for the under 12s which he really enjoys. It's a long way for us as we live in Worcestershire but the structure is great and there are other boys with mild cp like Sam so it's really worth it - training is at Cobham on Friday evening or Wandsworth on Sunday mornings then monthly tournaments in Walton on Thames.

I'm not sure what age they start but there are some very young ones in the team. As for CP only football it seems that they don't really start till the children are 12, Sam is waiting patiently to join the Chelsea CP Centre of Excellence

I know exactly how you feel trying to find something for Samuel - Sam is obsessed with football and it's great to be able to see him have such a great time with the other boys - and make some new friends at the same time.

The Chelsea Foundation runs it so you could find all the contacts on their website.

Hope this helps and you find an opportunity for Samuel to play

[stevieb]

Hi - yes, sorry for delay - as said above - keep looking and asking and you will eventually find something!! Not easy we all know but what we experienced at the Soccerdome was great for all - even my son who cant even fit into CP sports becuase he has moderate CP - he's been to ManU etc but they can all run! Anyway, keep looking and Chelsea certainly seemed to be very good though. If you look at the same post under treatment and therapy - I have given a few tips on how also to help get your child involved at school/even with his friends - something I call the Fair play rule! cheers Steve