In support of World Cerebral Palsy Day on the 6th October I will be sharing with you my journey as a footballer who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. I will outline the key stages of my journey including all the ups and downs. 

My passion for football started at age 7, playing in the garden with my brother and cousins. No matter the occasion—birthdays, Halloween, or Christmas—football was always part of the fun. My uncle, a season ticket holder at Norwich City, frequently took me to Saturday games, fuelling my love for the sport.

I remember reaching out to my local team, Hethersett Athletic FC, and joining their teams, specifically the U7s. It seemed like the perfect place to start since all my friends from school were on that team. However, I quickly realised that I wasn’t at the same skill level as them, making it tough for me to get playing time during matches. After facing this regularly for a few years, I decided to step away from football. That changed when a good friend from school, who also had a disability, encouraged me to join the PAN Disability all-inclusive football sessions at Football in the Community.

Challenges and setbacks have played a significant role in my journey. After two months at the all-inclusive football sessions, I was invited to the Player Development Centre (PDC), a big step up with players facing various impairments. At just 11 years old, I struggled to keep up with the older participants, particularly due to my difficulty tying my football boots, which caused blisters despite trying various solutions.

After a year with Norwich City's PDC, I trialled at Tottenham Hotspur's Centre of Excellence for players with Cerebral Palsy. Initially nervous, I quickly adapted and enjoyed playing with my new teammates. However, after four seasons, funding cuts meant I had to find a new club. Fortunately, many teammates faced the same challenge and we trialled together at the Regional Talent Centre, another CP team. While the ability levels were higher, the two-hour commute to London for Saturday training made things tough.

During my time at the Regional Talent Centre, I experienced immense growth, largely thanks to an incredible coach. His unique coaching style emphasised leadership from senior team members and encouraged us to take initiative. We were tasked with trying out drills independently before he would guide us to correct any mistakes, fostering our ability to think critically and lead training sessions ourselves. Additionally, we faced weekly challenges related to fitness and nutrition, which not only pushed us personally but also strengthened our team bond as we shared our progress during practice.

After several attempts, I was thrilled to be selected for the National England Emerging Talent Programme (NETP), aimed at players showing potential for higher levels of competition. The coaching team provided tailored support through monthly training camps and off-field guidance, including pitch session ideas and nutrition advice. They even monitored my progress with a Polar Flow heart rate monitor.

However, I faced significant setbacks during this time. One summer, while on holiday, I became severely dehydrated and suffered an epileptic seizure. This incident was frightening and led to a recommendation that I refrain from training for several weeks, which was incredibly challenging for someone used to daily practice. Unfortunately, I experienced three more seizures during my time in the NETP, creating a cycle of frustration and anxiety that impacted my performance.

By age 19, I was receiving positive feedback from coaches about my dedication outside of camp, despite my ongoing health issues. I earned opportunities to train with the England Cerebral Palsy U21 team, a milestone that felt like a dream come true, as it brought me closer to representing my country. Over five camps, however, I faced further health challenges, including another seizure and two concussions. Ultimately, this led to the disappointing news that I would not be selected for the team, leaving me devastated and grappling with the loss of my chance to play for England.

I started an apprenticeship as a coach at the Community Sports Foundation, gaining valuable coaching knowledge. I worked with various abilities, particularly enjoying sessions for children with disabilities but found it challenging without a car. After a few years, I secured a full-time position at a school for children with disabilities. Whilst working my new job I continued to coach the all-inclusive PAN disability sessions that I once participated in, which I find deeply rewarding.

Further down the line, I was playing for Norwich in their Player Development Centre when our manager informed me he wanted to form a Cerebral Palsy team for the National Cerebral Palsy League. I was honoured to be named captain. In our first season, we finished third and reached the league cup final, but lost narrowly. In our second season, we won the league, earning a spot in the FA Disability Cup Final. After another strong season, we beat Chelsea 6-3 in the final, a moment I'll always treasure.

My future goals for myself and the team would be to go and win the treble including the league, the cup and the FA Disability Cup. I am hoping that this will establish the team in a way that I can only dream of.