England Men’s Cerebral Palsy team and staff last week held a training camp at the English national football centre, St. George’s Park.
During their stay, the team utilised different areas and facilities of the grounds to work on key aspects of their game, including gym sessions, two on-field sessions per day, recovery and tactical analysis following training sessions.
The camp was made extra special with a visit from very special guest Rhys, who himself has Cerebral Palsy and has been doing incredible charitable work raising awareness of, and money for, disabled sports having been the victim of vile online abuse. To mark his great work, The FA invited Rhys to attend for a tour of the FA's national football centre, and to take part in a training session with the CP squad.
Having previously met some of the Cerebral Palsy squad at Wembley stadium, Rhys was shown around the best-in-class grounds of St. George’s Park by Head Coach Andy Smith, including a visit to the indoor pitch and the changing rooms. Rhys then took part in a goalkeeping session alongside England’s CP goalkeepers, led by Goalkeeping Coach Alex Molly. Following lunch with the squad, Rhys was gifted with a signed England shirt by all the players in the England CP team.
Andy Smith, Head Coach of the Men’s England Cerebral team, said: “For our squad to stay and train at St. George’s Park with its world-leading facilities, can only be positive for their bonding as a group, and is the perfect environment in which to learn and prepare together. Rhys’s visit was a lovely moment, and the squad were delighted to welcome such an inspirational young boy to the camp.”
England Men’s CP camp visit to St. George’s Park follows this year’s launch of The FA’s ambitious new three-year plan titled Football Your Way, aimed at developing, improving and raising awareness of Disability Football in England. To learn more about Football Your Way, please visit The FA’s website here.
To learn more about the opportunities to participate and play in disability football, visit www.englandfootball.com/play/disability-football.
