MCFA hold firm in second FA Centre of Excellence (Disability) season festival
On Saturday 12th December 2009 the Middlesex County Football Association attended the second set of official fixtures involving FA Centre’s of Excellence (Disability) from across South East England for the current season. Driven by the Football Association, in conjunction with the London Sports Forum, the initiative seeks to develop both the football and academic abilities of the best young disabled players in the country. This is made possible in Middlesex through the tremendous support of Harrow based company Munnelly Support Services Limited in partnership with the Football Foundation and Sportsmatch.
Teams from Kent, Norfolk, Surrey and Middlesex descended upon Norwich, Norfolk to play a series of fixtures involving U17 and U14 sides. Taking part in a round-robin format each team had the chance to express the talent which has been honed over the weeks of coaching from highly qualified Football Association coaches. The U17 team did themselves proud with three sterling performances in all their games that highlighted the benefits of the programme in developing their game.
The FA Centre of Excellence (Disability) run in Middlesex is the exit route for young players showing ability in mainstream or disabled football across the County. Players who excel at this level will have the opportunity to progress further up the player pathway and ultimately play for the England national side. Training once a week and with regular monthly fixtures squad members receive substantial contact time both educationally and on the football pitch helping shape individual players overall personal development.
The second season of this aspiring scheme continues through to the end of March 2010 and is open to 10 to 17 year old players with disabilities. A number of pupils from around the County have been involved unique development in North West London and we encourage all children with either a Learning Disability, Hearing and/or Visual Impairment, Cerebral Palsy or an upper limb amputee to become involved next season.
If you would like further information about the FA Centre of Excellence (Disability) please call Jon Whittingham on 020 8515 6904 or email jon.whittingham@middlesexfa.com
For more online information please log onto the following link: http://www.middlesexfa.com/Development/DisabilityFootball
Regional Blind Team cement their position with the leaders for the Christmas break
On Saturday 12th December 2009 the Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team partook in the third set of league fixtures in the FA National Blind League in Hereford. The blind team is run through Middlesex County Football Association and represents the area encompassed by Middlesex and the Home Counties and is partially funded by the Football Association. The team provides regular coaching and fixtures for players in the region who are registered as B1 (Blind). The organising and running of the team is made possible in Middlesex through the tremendous support of Harrow based company Munnelly Support Services Limited in partnership with the Football Foundation and Sportsmatch.
Teams from Middlesex & Home Counties, West Bromwich Albion, Royal National College for the Blind, North West FC (Everton FC) and Worcester University descended upon the league venue at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford to play the next set of fixtures in the FA National Blind League. Taking part in a round-robin format, each team had the chance to play against each other and continue the team’s development from the coaching sessions delivered by highly qualified Football Association coaches. This is the first season that Middlesex have hosted the regional team and the team did themselves proud with encouraging performances in all their games.
The Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team run through Middlesex County Football Association is the exit route for players who are registered as B1 (Blind) to partake in regular training and fixtures during the season. Players who excel at this level will have the opportunity to progress further up the player pathway and ultimately play for the England national side. Training twice a month and with regular monthly fixtures squad members receive substantial contact time to aid with shaping individual players overall personal development.
The team currently trains at Talacre Community Sports Centre, Camden on Saturday’s between 4.30pm to 6pm. There are a healthy number of players currently registered with the team including players from the current England National team. There is no restriction on the number of players who can train and be involved with the team.
If you would like further information about the Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team please call Jon Whittingham on 020 8515 6904 or email jon.whittingham@middlesexfa.com
For more online information please log onto the following link: http://www.middlesexfa.com/Development/DisabilityFootball