The Birmingham City FC Foundation welcomed Blues stars of past and present to launch its brand new powerchair programme, giving physically disabled athletes to chance to represent Birmingham City.
Jay Stansfield and Carlos Vicente were joined by Club legends Louise Quinn, Darren Carter and Clinton Morrison, and were fitted for the new powerchairs. Once they were in, Foundation coach Paul Hunt took the players through the gears, teaching them passing, shooting and moving around the pitch.
The event, hosted at the University of Birmingham, launched the new powerchair programme delivered by the Club’s independent charity, which is open to all ages and genders, from novice to experienced player. With two training sessions per week, the Foundation will be entering a league this winter, playing in the Club kit and representing Birmingham City.
The Foundation has had each chair built and shipped over from America, with the funding coming directly from the Club’s success. The Birmingham City First Team players generously donate a percentage of their win bonus directly to the Foundation, and with the success over the past two seasons, the chairs could be designed and bought outright thanks to a six-figure donation.
One of the Foundation’s core pillars is Football For All, with the latest powerchair team building on an already successful pan-disability provision, which operates four times a week. Alongside the powerchairs, the Foundation is also offering cerebral palsy football coaching, as it looks to involve more and more people in physical activity.
Jeremy Dale, CEO at Birmingham City Football Club, said: “We always say the Blues is a club for all, and everyone connected to Birmingham City should be proud of this programme. I know we have some talented powerchair players in our fanbase already, and I’m looking forward to finding the future stars too. We want everyone to have the chance to wear the ball and globe on their chest and represent us.”
Paul Hunt, Disability Programme Coordinator at the Foundation, said: “What a way to launch our programme! I grew up watching Darren and Clinton, and Louise, Jay and Carlos made it a special day for our participants. We would love for as many people as possible to get involved, so if you think powerchair football is for you, please get in touch!”
To register your interest in joining the powerchair sessions, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/G1ihgfcPpXjSGBULA