PARAHEY MAGAZINE Issue 01, May 2015
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A year to remember for East Riding Electric Eels
Exclusive interview with Simon Berry East Riding FA rise of new disabled footballers
Hello Welcome to our first issue of ParaHEY Hull’s and East Yorkshire first disability sport magazine. Since we decided to launch the magazine we have been really busy interviewing and meeting talented disabled athletes who have or are on course to represent their country in their chosen sport. We will promote and tell you the hidden talent that Hull has to offer in the disability sport world. In this issue we have had the privilege of interviewing Simon Berry who tells us his story from a life changing accident to representing Great Britain in the Winter Paralympics. We’ve interviewed Hulls First Powerchair Football club who have had a remarkable year since joining the National League Championship. We hope that you enjoy reading issue 01. If you’re on Twitter please send your selfie whilst reading this issue to @paraheymagazine using #First #Parasport #magazine #Hull Enjoy reading, Kai Gill, Editor
My name is Rosie Hodgson. I’m currently studying a UAL (University of the Arts London) level 3 diploma in Photography and Art & Design. I’ve been interested in photography for about 5 years but have been studying it for 4. I went on to my love of Powerchair Football. I played for Norwich City Powerchair Football Club for 3 years and for those 3 years I was top goal scorer for the club. I then left and spread my wings to Muscle Warriors in Watford. I was yet again top goal scorer for Muscle Warriors and also carried the cap of most man of the matches. After watching the London 2012 Paralympics, I started to get interested in sport photography which led me to take pictures of my favourite sport which is of course Powerchair Football. To see more of my own work, like my Facebook page: Rosie’s Photography
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contents Simon Berry Ex Great Britain Sledge Hockey Player........................................................... 5 - 7 Kizzy Wade: Love For Disability Sports................................................................................ 8 - 10 Becky Irwin ‘I Love Boccia As It Makes Me Feel Included’ ...............................................13 - 14 Eight Benefits of drinking Organo Gold Coffee .........................................................................15 East Riding Electric Eels A Special Year .............................................................................16 - 17 East Riding FA Recieve Funding to Boost Participation....................................................19 - 20 It’s All New For Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Club.......................................21 - 22 Matt Clarkson ‘I’ve Never Been Away From The Ice Since’ ...............................................24 - 25 Hull and East Riding Of Yorkshire Club Contact Details...........................................................26 Competition....................................................................................................................................27
Picture Taken By: Simon Everett, courtesy of Trike Magazine
Simon Berry with his trike
sIMON BERRY Ex Great britain sledge hockey player From a traumatic accident at the tender age of eighteen to representing Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics in 2008. Simon Berry speaks to ParaHEY magazine about how he has had to adapt to a new life. Before my accident in 1992 I used to run everywhere and play football for York City in the five-a-side league with the hope to be promoted to eleven-a-side. From the age of fourteen my family moved to Foggathorpe, East Riding of Yorkshire to do farm work but I was very sporty and all the work I used to do was labour incentive, which is something I miss. Just after my 18th birthday, in May, 1992 I was coming back from Howden to Foggathorpe having a lift on the back of my
something I believed in then friends motorbike. I remember leaving and still do now to this day. Howden at 10pm we were travelling to People can be Foggathorpe, unfortunately a car “ I’m a firm sceptical but, I came round the corner and hit us. believer that believe there is a if you fight reason to being I was thrown off the bike sending here and I knew me into a concrete post. I have to for pass my thanks onto the doctor something that it wasn’t my who was travelling by at the time, and want to time to leave. I suffered a T2 level if he hadn’t been going past then I carry on then spinal injury don’t know what would have it will happened. happen.” I spent three weeks in intensive During the evening, the hospital care at Hull Royal Infirmary had told my parents that I wouldn’t live after my accident. I was then but, I’m a firm believer that if you fight moved to Pinderfields who are for something and want to carry on specialised in rehabilitating then it will happen. That was
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Picture Courtesy of British Sledge Hockey Association patients with spinal injuries.
I had a big transition from working on a farm to then office work. I never From spending the first week picked up any sport after my accident, in the spinal unit I was shown I ate healthy and kept fit in the best how to get dressed, going to way possible for myself. In 1998, that toilet because I can’t use my all changed as I started disability sport legs like I used to. The first few this was Sledge Hockey, due to Kevin months of rehabilitation were Whiteman the coach at Kingston hard but, a physiotherapist Kestrels contacted me and Roger Ellison pushed everyone persuaded me to have a go. Once into sports. I didn’t want to get I started I loved it and still do now involved in sport at first today. I feel that is quite an “Once I because I had gone from started I loved achievement. being able to play sports it and still do to being confined to a now from a When I first started playing wheelchair. sledge hockey for Kingston coaching Kestrels, Kevin had said to perceptive ” I didn’t actually get into me for the level of disability sport straight away after l I have, I would never become a good eaving Pinderfield, what I did player. From that day being told that I was I wanted to go back into thought I’m going to prove you wrong. education and I went back to university to study electronics. Within a year I was selected for From there I then started the Great Britain squad and that working for Kingston continued until the day I announced Communications and worked my retirement from international there for seventeen years. sledge hockey. I made my debut for my country in 2000 at the something in Although, I loved sport my Czech Republic. I wanted to show main objective was to find people that you can achieve anything in something which, would suite something you enjoy. I represented my
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Simon Berry at Winter Paralympics in 2006 in the sport I love at the European Championships, World Championships and at Paralympic level. I remember when I got called up to the Great Britain squad I was like ‘wow!’ now I have to keep that spot. At that time only a small handful of people was selected and I stayed in the squad for a couple of years. But, I thought even though someone isn’t trying to take my spot I want to keep that place in the squad, I was twice as disciplined and pushing myself to achieve the status of being a great player. I decided to join David Lloyd Gym where I worked with personal trainers twice a week to increase my level of fitness for a gamein twelve weeks. I worked to the level of optimus leading up to the twelfth week ensuring I was ready for the games. I will always remember when I
made my debut for Great Britain in 2000 at Czech Republic. I won’t lie the first week was tough with training and it was a culture shock that the ice arena had been built for you as an athlete. The point of when we played the opening game against Canada who where the World Champions at the time was quite daunting we held ourselves account. We had to remember that the team who went had to justify to the Paralympic committee that they should fund the sport as a whole and for every player. It was from there when we saw the advances to the equipment being made which without a doubt has definitely improved the players who are now able to skate with skill.
at the skill level of game in today’s world if you look at some players who used to play at club level are now wouldn’t be able to hold themselves up in the sledge compared to this day where they can do more than that. Two years ago I announced I would be retiring from international level because I wanted to coach more and to create more dynamic players to reach the level I reached. I had a fantastic career representing my country and have memories that will last forever.
iCONIC YEARS IN sIMONS CAREER 2004 World Championships 2005 European Championships 2006 wINTER pARALYMPICS 2011 eUROPEAN chAMPIONSHIPS Source: sledgehockey.co.uk
Before, people didn’t have to be
I’m proud to say that since then Kingston Kestrels have become a real pinnacle of the Great Britain sledge hockey team due to myself and Kevin developing players. If you look at Matt Clarkson and Matthew Woollias who are Kingston Kestrel players it does feel great to know I have helped them achieve the international level they’re at. I believe that was one of the main reason to why I won Coach of the Year at the Wheelchair Sports Hull awards 2015. In 2006, I won Disability Sports Personality of the Year award that was an achievement itself. It feels humbling that people have nominated and justified why you should win the award to win it its marvellous. If i’m being honest I look back at the awards I won and think what an achievement I’ve made from my accident. It just shows that there are opportunities out there in the disability sport. When I aren’t coaching, I’m a personal assistant and a chair of trustee of the Echoes Foundation where I help bring in funding to help disabled children. If there are anyone who has had an life changing accident my advice would be to go through the period of acceptance and think about what I am going to do. Simon is completing his third Hull 10K for the Echoes Foundation if you would like to sponsor him please visit www. justgiving.com/wheels4echoes to help him raise £1,000.
Simon Berry KC Coach of the Year 2015
If you have Twitter follow @Bezzagb10 to track his progress in training for his 10k in June.
Photograph Taken By: Connor Pritchett
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Lockwood Street Hull HU2 OHL Phone: 01482 323 503 Fax: 01482 223 174
Kizzy Wade with John Stubbs (Left), Hannah Cockroft (right)
Picture Taken By Faye Wade
KIZZY BLUE WADE: LOVE FOR DISABILITY SPORTS Kai Gill interviews Hull’s arising talented player in powerchair football, Kizzy Wade alongside her mother Faye Wade KG: If you don’t mind me asking, what is Kizzy’s disability and how does it affect her?
doing incredibly well academically, which when she was diagnosed, we was told this would be very unlikely.
FW: Kizzy was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy when she was ten months old, which means all of her lime are affected to some degree, although her legs are considerably worse than her arms. As well as this, in the last few years Kizzy’s hips have begun to sublux, which means the balls of her hips no longer sit in the sockets correctly. The severity of Kizzy’s cerebral palsy means that she is unable to walk, stand or sit unaided and so she is a full-time wheelchair user, though through her determination and endless amounts of physio and occupational therapy we have managed to succeed in her using a self propelled wheelchair. We feel very fortunate though that the cerebral palsy doesn’t really impact on Kizzy’s life except in the physical sense, Kizzy attends a mainstream school and is
KG: Have you always been into sport from a child and what was it that got you involved in sport? FW: From the age of sixteen, Paul, raced classic motorbikes and did incredibly well at this for many years, including winning the championship on a couple of occasions, this came to an end after Kizzy was born, due to the danger element that was involved. Other than that our love of sports has really grown since Kizzy became involved in so many disability sports, we find it inspiring the levels of success the athletes achieve no matter how severe their disability is. Seeing these athletes help Kizzy not only come to terms with her own disability but also made her realise it is no way a reason to stop her achieving her dreams.
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KG:At what age did Kizzy start begin involved in disability sport and how did that happen?
FW: Kizzy was around six years old when she first started wanting to play sports and after looking at what was available she decided she would like to try wheelchair basketball, unfortunately she was a little young and also didn’t quite have the skills needed to move a wheelchair correctly at that point and so it was something that she was aiming towards. Everything then changed for Kizzy in 2012 when the Paralympics were held in London, we was lucky enough to buy tickets for us all to attend athletics, through this and watching every minute possible on television, Kizzy’s world opened up to a whole host of sporting possibilities. Wheelchair racing joined wheelchair basketball on Kizzy’s list of sport to try, this was in no small part due to watching Hannah Cockroft smash every race she entered.
Picture Taken By Connor Pritchett KG:It’s been well noted that Kizzy has developed a lot in powerchair football have you noticed this as well if so how does it feel to see the improvements? FW:As her parents we always knew the physically demanding sports like wheelchair basketball and wheelchair racing was going to be difficult for Kizzy due to her cerebral palsy, but we would never discourage her from them and in fact it’s these sports that have helped Kizzy develop and improve physically. Without a doubt though, powerchair football has definitely becoming the sporting focus for Kizzy, since the East Riding Electric Eels began she has progressed well beyond any of our expectations, she has grown in confidence as
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We attened a GB SportsFest day at Sheffield, this was a day where you can try most of the disability sports available and find out more information on them, the most exciting part of the day for Kizzy was getting to meet Hannah Cockroft in person and trying out wheelchair racing. We found that due to the success of the 2012 Paralympics, disability sports were certainly increasing in availability, within a month or so we had found and joined a local swimming club, Kingston Panthers wheelchair basketball club and Leeds wheelchair racing club. Interestingly at the same time we had received an email inviting Kizzy to a powerchair football taster session in Hull, Kizzy had always wanted to play football but we had no idea how this could be achieved for her. This taster session changed our lives completely, Kizzy’s love of powerchair football was born.
Paul Wade (left), Wayne Johnson, Kizzy Wade, Faye Wade (right) well as in skill, when Kizzy first started playing we couldn’t even imagine that in two years and at only ten years old, she would be playing in the National League. KG:How does it feel to see Kizzy being nominated and winning awards such as female player of year at Wheelchair Sports Hull awards? FW:For someone to think and take the time out to write a nomination for your child to be put forward for an award is such a fabulous thing to see as a parent, we are unbelievably proud of all Kizzy has achieved both in what she has managed to overcome and in her abilities for other
people to see and recognise the same things in her is amazing. Kizzy has been fortunate to be nominated for, and even win, quite a few awards within the past two years and I can honestly say each time it is totally unexpected, the standard of the nominees is always so incredibly high, it is just an honour to see her nominated and if she is fortunate enough to win, it is the ultimate proud parent moment. It is always fantastic on the awards nights to see local disability sports and the athletes who participate in them being celebrated, and to see recognition for how far the sports have developed. KG:What do you love about sports like wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing, swimming and powerchair football? KW:I enjoy all sports and look forward to trying out new ones when I get the opportunity, often with mixed results, my cerebral palsy can make some sports almost impossible to do but I find unless I try it for myself I’ll never know if I’m able to do it or not. I always look forward to attending the clubs I am a part of, I love the social aspect of sports, spending times with people who enjoy doing the same things and who often also have disabilities to overcome is great, I have made some very close friends at some of my sports clubs and we always have a giggle together. The sports themselves, all give me a good physical workout which always makes my body feel better.
sports to be as good as I possibly can be. My ultimate goal is to play powerchair football for the GB team and to represent my country at an international level, to do this would be the ultimate achievement and would make me so proud. KG: How does it feel to play powerchair football and wheelchair basketball in a team? KW: I absolutely love playing in team sports, it always makes me feel part of something special when I get to play alongside other people, knowing we are there for each other and share the same goal of winning and playing the best we possibly can. Sharing the experience of training, competing, winning and losing alongside team mates who are also close friends is an amazing feeling. KG: Why do you love playing sports? KW: I love the competitiveness and knowing the effort I put in will ultimately pay off. As I said earlier the social aspect of sport is great and so is the feeling of physically and mentally stretching myself.I absolutely love playing all types of sports, I like going into a game not knowing if I will win or lose but enjoying myself no matter what. Kizzy has recently been granted a place on the Under 16s International Powerchair Football Camp held in Paris. She will be training up to seven hours a day. Kizzy will certainly be an athlete to keep an eye on in the future.
KG:Do you have a role model that you look up to in the Paralympics?
If you’re on Twitter and would like to follow Kizzy’s action in all her sports. KW: Within the Paralympics, I look up Picture Taken By Connor Pritchett Then follow @kizzybluewade. She will be tweeting her progress in Paris. to Hannah Cockroft, who is a wheelchair racer, this is because she is independent, successful and never lets her disability Awards & Nominations: stop her from achieving her dreams, all these are Wheelchair Sports Hull Female Player of Year all things I aspire to. Other than Hannah, I also look 2015 up to many other athletes, a lot of who I train with Wheelchair Sports Hull Young Player of Year or watch, and the problems and disabilities they all 2014 overcome in life is amazing, they inspire me to Humber Trust Sports Person of Year 2013 always try my best and be the best I possibly can be. I can’t imagine not having sport in my life now and hope it will be a major part of my future. Shortlisted to Top 3: Hull Daily Mail Disabled KG:What would you like to do in the future in the sports you play? KW: My immediate goals are to improve at all of my
Athlete of the Year 2014
Shortlisted to Top 3 :Leeds Sports Awards Young Disabled Sports person of the Year 2015 10
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Boccia is a target ball sport which, is played by athletes with severe physical disabilities affecting motor skills. The game is played by individuals or teams of three with the aim to throw leather balls coloured red or blue to the white target ball. For more information about boccia and to find your local club please visit bocciaengland.org.uk Picture Courtesy of Boccia England
Picture Courtesy of Boccia England
Boccia England Talent Squad
BECKY IRWIN ‘I LOVE BOCCIA AS IT MAKES ME FEEL INCLUDED’ England Training Squad player Becky Irwin speaks to ParaHEY about her love for Boccia from day one of throwing the ball.
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Becky Irwin is becoming a well known name in the Boccia England Talent squad. The 16 year old who suffers from Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius found the love for Boccia since starting secondary school.
is turned inwards because of bones twisted in my leg. I try and not let my disability affect me and to an extent it doesn’t. There is the odd time where I need a bit of assistance to help with simple everyday tasks.”
Becky was born with TAR which left her without any arms and just has shoulders grown from her shoulders. She also has a twisted tibia and fibula in her left leg meaning her foot is turned inwards. Becky uses an electric wheelchair on a daily basis.
In summer 2014, Becky received an invitation of acceptance for the England training camp which runs for two years. Becky states she has to thank Evie Edwards for passing her details onto Boccia England.
Becky admits she doesn’t let her condition stop her from achieving her dreams. She admitted: “ I was born with TAR leaving me without any arms and just hands grown from my shoulders. My left foot
Becky stated: “I know a girl called Evie Edwards who has the same syndrome as me. She is currently in the boccia England squad and has been for more than two years. She passed my details
Picture Courtesy of Boccia England onto boccia England and two months later I was asked to do an assessment.” Three weeks after completing the assessment Becky received an email in what she described as surprised, happy and overwhelmed in one moment. Becky said: “After submitting my assessment, three weeks later I received an email from Matt Kendrick the England Talent Squad coach stating I had been accepted into the talent squad I was surprised, overwhelmed and happy fro the entire day. I thought it would only be for those players who were very experienced who could be accepted.” Becky has always been a fan of sport from a young age she was a huge football supporter. But due to Becky’s condition she had to give up her favourite sport. She admits it was hard to give up football but then discovered her love for boccia at the age of 11. She admitted: “I have always liked sport even when I was younger. I was a big football fan and I used to play football before my legs got worse. I didn’t start playing boccia competitively until I got to high school. I remember having little lessons on Boccia in primary school and I joined in. She continued: “When I got to secondary school I started to like joining in PE again but once again my legs got worse. So I had to stop doing the lesson I enjoyed. I then was told about the inclusion sports club at school and realised they played boccia so I started to attend and loved it.” Becky is coming up to her second year of being
Boccia equipment laid out on court. in the England talent squad and she admits since training with her new team mates it has made her focus on the sport she loves. Becky admitted: “I think boccia has made me a happier person. I enjoy playing it a lot and joint the England talent squad makes me focus on sport. I’ve enjoyed putting the extra effort into training and are proud that I’ve almost finished my first year training camp with boccia England.” She continued: “I love boccia so much as it makes me feel included. It’s a sport just like football or rugby. but it’s something that I can join in with and not feel left out. I enjoy meeting new people as well. But being part of the training squad has introduced me to people who either have a similar condition to me or struggled to find a sport to love. They playing boccia as much as I do.” Since starting boccia at a young age Becky admits it’s great to see more people both playing and coaching the sport. She admits: “It’s nice to see more people playing boccia especially with more who have a wide range of disabilities. It’s great that everyone can get involved in boccia and no one is left out. There are many adaptations and equipment that helps any player in their own way to play.” If you’re on Twitter you can follow Becky’s journey to making her debut in an international competition by following @becksuk1999. Also, if your interested in being involved in boccia whether it’s playing or coaching then visit bocciaengland.co.uk.
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EIGHT reasons TO USE ORGANO GOLD COFFEE Benefits of ganoderma lucid which is infused into every Organo Gold beverage:
AGeING PREVENTION Anti Inflammatory Properties Anti Cancer Properties Anti Viral Properties Help With Diabetes Immune system booster Oxygenates the blood Provides Liver Protection Image - Michael Camilleri, under the Creative Commons License
Picture Taken By Rosie Hodgson
East Riding Electric Eels National Team
EAST RIDING ELECTRIC EELS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR THE CLUB East Riding Electric Eels head coach Lee Brennan tells ParaHEY Magazine why this year has been one to remember both for parents and players. Powerchair football team East Riding Electric Eels have had a remarkable year ever since entering into the National League Championship.
after Norwich were forced to drop out of the league due to funding struggles leaving a position in the table for the Yorkshire side.
Since September the Yorkshire side have already gained three points in their debut season and coach Lee Brennan hopes their success will continue into the clubs second year.
Electric Eels National League Team Coach Lee Brennan admits the sudden urge of excitement and nerves all in one moment.
Lee admitted: “We’ve recieved confirmation about the format for next season, but our aim is upwards. We don’t want to set an unrealistic target but we want to challenge.” The news of the Eels entering Championship came
Lee admitted: “I remember the day well, there had been rumours on social media that Norwich had pulled out of the league. When I received a call from Sam Bull at the WFA he confirmed this and invited Eels to join the National League. My first thought was excitement and then trepidation set in due to the size of challenge.”
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Its been a tough season for Electric Eels solely due to the team making their debut in the National League. In their first couple of months, Eels struggled to get the ball into the opposition net.
league to now spectators have been stating how much the players have improved. This is something which the coach Lee admits the players are now well prepared for the rest of the season.
After a series of tough months and training sessions the scoreline kept decreasing. Then Electric Eels managed to get their first win in March against Bolton Bullets something which, Lee embarks as a special day for the club.
Lee admitted; “It’s nice to hear that other people are noticing the improvements. We knew the first half of the season was tough going, we had some heavy defeats but we learnt from them. We’ve steadily improved and it’s pleasing to have that recognised by other teams.
Lee said: “It’s been a season of improvement that culminated in our first win against Bolton 2-0. What pleased me most about the win was the way we controlled the game. We’d highlighted that game as winnable as we’d only just narrowly lost to them in the first set of fixtures back in September. A special day of the club, players and parents.” The coach hasn’t had to cope with the dreaded symptoms of a selection headache due to the team only having four players. But, Lee states that every player has played their part. He stated: “Each player has played their part. Kai, as captain leads from the front and encouraged his team mates during the games. Kizzy, our youngest players at only 10 is incredibly tenacious for her age and never gives up. Amy is our goalkeeper and has often been under pressure, especially against the more established teams, but has pulled off some fantastic last ditch saves. Then we have Luke who is our set-play specialist and can fire the ball in at speed and accuracy in dead ball situations.”
PLAYER OF MATCH Amy Sherman
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Kai Gill
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Kizzy Wade
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Luke Brennan
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We’ve steadily improved and it’s pleasing to have that recognised by other teams. The players have all improved individually and that has had an affect on their confidence. They’re all accustomed now to the travelling and the venue in Nottingham. It’s sometimes these small details that can affect performance.Each player knows their role in the team and they know their team mates roles.” With the season coming to an end for Electric Eels, players are well aware of the pre-season schedule in place for the new era. A player who has already pencilled in a tough schedule is Kizzy Blue Wade. Kizzy has been given an invite to international training at Paris for under sixteens. Head coach Lee states the experience Kizzy will gain will be crucial to the team. He stated: “it’s a fantastic opportunity for Kizzy. She’s our youngest player but that doesn’t hold her back. If she continues learning in the same way she’s done over the last couple of years she’ll be a formidable player for the Eels.” The Yorkshire side are looking for new players to add to thier national legue squad. But Lee admits it will only happen when they’re ready. Lee admitted: “It would be nice to get another one or two players just to take the pressure off the current four players. However, we’ll only do this if we think players are ready. Follow @erelectriceels on Twitter to catch their action in the National League Championship.
GOALS
Source: The WFA Lee continued: “They’ve all played their part in some fantastic displays and what pleases me the most is that no one single player thinks they’re above the team. I can’t emphasise that enough. It’s all about the team.” Hull’s only powerchair football club have spent countless hours both in training and travelling to Nottingham. Since Electric Eels first started the
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Amy Sherman
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Kai Gill
3
Kizzy Wade
2
Luke Brennan
2 Source: The WFA
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Picture Courtesy of East Riding FA
Ability Counts League, 2015
EAST RIDING FA RECIEVE FUNDING TO BOOST PARTICIPATION IN DISABILITY FOOTBALL East Riding FA Disability Officer, Peter Allison talks to ParaHEY Magazine about how funding has enabled more disability footballers to play their favourite sport. Over the last eighteen months, the East Riding FA have seen a significant growth of participants in disability football. The East Riding FA received a grant which was funded nationally through Sport England and The FA who wanted the level of disability football to increase in the area. Pete Allison, Disability Football Development Officer states the funding has seen new players of all forms of disability participate in football.
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He stated: “There has been a significant rise in disability football across Hull and East Riding over the last eighteen months. This is all down to the increased in funding from both the FA and Sport England who wanted an increase in level of participation and prevision that is available for those players who have a disability. It has seen a huge increase in junior disability football clubs for those under the age of sixteen including an increase in adults participation as well. He continued: “Over the last twelve to eighteen months there has been a rise of 700 new members
in football which, is quite a significant rise with also a number of new coaching being involved in the disability side which has increased awareness.” Pete joined the County FA in 2013 since then he has seen an increase of disability football from a range of physical and mental disabilities. There has also been a powerchair football club which has gone from strength to strength since being established in 2012. Pete said: “The East Riding Electric Eels have been a club that in such a short space of time have achieved so much which, is a remarkable achievement. Two years ago the dream of playing in the National League seemed quite a distant way off, but now to be playing in the highest competition against players in the England Team and coaches with wealth of experience in the game is a credit to the players, volunteers and parents who have got the willingness and determination to achieve.” The powerchair club made their debut on the North East Regional league last season and finished in style. The Hull side remained unbeaten for a total of six. Pete states East Riding Electric Eels are a good practice model for those thinking of starting a club. Pete stated: “East Riding Electric Eels are a good practice model for those wanting to set up a new club who want achieve in a short period. With regards to players there are a various number of players in the disability programme that have come on leaps and bounds not alone in skill but in personal lives in terms of behaviour and social awareness is a credit to every club, coaching staff who have worked with them.
It just highlights the impact that football has on those who have some form of disability.“ The funding in place for the next three years will see Hull and East Riding host a number of events, as well as further development to the current Ability Counts league. Pete admits: “We have the Ability Counts league which is a five-a-side competition that runs from March to December. We’ve planned a variety of mental health tournaments which will hopefully run alongside female and junior competitions. “There is a lot of activity going on with one off days to weekly activities that will be available right across the county six times a week. We like to make it easier and accessible that people are given the opportunity to access more football.” If you have a disability or are a big fan of football and would love to pursue a coaching role in disability football, then contact Pete Allison on 07798884500. You can also visit East Riding FA website which is eastridingfa.com for a full timetable of sessions including club contact details. Please follow East Riding FA on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with the news, fixtures, and results of disability football.
East Riding Electric Eels North East Regional League Winners 2013/2014 Picture Courtesy of East Riding Electric Eels
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Eaast Riding Ele ectric EEels PFFC is lo ookingg for ne ew playyers to build on our existting sq quad.
Thiss fast and dyynamic game e is aimed att wheelchairr users but w we are an incclusive club tthat welcomes anyonee to come alo ong and have a go. No exxperience is needed, all ages and abbilities are w welcome and we are luckky enough to o have spare eequipment w waiting for ne ew players, including proper football chairs or w we can fit ‘bu umpers’ day chairs. to standaard electric d We traain at the Siriius Academyy in Hull eve ry other Saturday, timess and dates aare on our w website, Faceboook and twitte er pages.
For more e info see w www.eastrid dingelectricceels.co.uk and @EREl ectricEels
Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Team Picture Courtesy of Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Club
It’s all new for kingston panthers wheelchair basketball club Kingston Panthers Head Coach Chris Wilson speaks to ParaHEY magazine about the transition from Hull Wasps to Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Club. KG: Last year you were called Hull Wasps and you were awarded club of the year at last years Wheelchair Sports Hull awards, how did it feel to pick up that award? CW: For me personally being at the club from the very beginning I felt immensely proud obviously, as a player and then taking over the coaching reigns a year and a half from the club being established. It wasn’t just a testimount to myself but, also to all the parents for their support as a committee keeping the club going. It’s just fantastic that we have been recognised for all the work we have done. I’m sure you will be aware with all the clubs now, we were one of the first to break through. In that respect it’s good to get recognition. It’s fantastic a few years ago after the sport development took a back step we did look like we would have to fold as a club. But the backing from all the parents and supporters to keep us going year after year. To be going for seven years now I can only see it getting better for the Panthers now.
KG: You’ve gone from a switch of clubs to a name change, why did you choose to make that move from the Wasps to the Panthers? CW: It was basically right place right time. We got a phone call from the Airco arena who stated Hull City Academy wanted our time slot so for us to stay there we would have to change days. At first we was more than happy to negotiate and find a suitable day that suited all our players. But, when we took the approach and asked players about having to move days to train we were told they would find another club that would train on the day that suited them. In that respect, I had to look for a new venue to train it’s not as easy. After, one training session I met with the director of Kingston Panthers basketball were we discussed moving over to the Panthers and he helped us find a new training venue, sponsor and a end of year awards that Kingston Panthers do. He promised us that we would be treat just the same as there other teams who play in the national league. It was fantastic for us to take the decision and hopefully we will get
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get stronger year by year. KG: New club, new training venue what differences can the general public see from previous years? CW: The support we have received is fantastic. We can’t tell just yet on how our performances improve until day one of the season. But, as a community we are like one big family which, can only benefit the players because they will part of the club a bigger picture not just one committee we now have directors etc. It’s only going to help us grow massively across the country. It is our long term goal to get junior players so we can set up a junior league to help us go up into division three in the future. It’s not just directors and coaches we have a media staff who will be helping us recruit new players. People didn’t know who we was or where we are but once we get the word out there people started getting involved more. It’s great having more people involved as it can only benefit the team. I can only see this club getting bigger throughout the years to come.
TOP SCORERS Chris Wilson
29pt
Kenny Pinkerton
7pt
Matt Burke
5pt
Karl Buitendam
2pt Source:British Wheelchair Basketball
KG: With the club making a debut in the National League division four how will it feel to see the team play at a higher level? CW: Yeah it’s daunting but exciting at the sametime. Immense pride and proudness from everyone in the club as we have now been recognised as a national league club. We are very much looking forward to the challenge and first campaign as part of the panthers. KG:How did it feel to pick up community achievement award at the Wheelchair Sports Hull? CW:I felt very honoured and proud to be recognised for all my work over the years within disability sports, but for me it’s not about individual achievements it’s about how we can maintain and improve the services we provide. That is something which we will continue to do throughout the club from the admin to the players.
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KG: With young players like Harry Norton called up for representative honours for Yorkshire, how does that feel when you are told that one of your players will be representing county. Does that shows that from a coaching point of view and Panthers that you are going in the right direction? CW: From day one of the club being set up we have been lucky enough to have players scouted for Yorkshire. We have had myself and a player play at the Celtic Cup. It’s not just a testament to the club but also to those who get scouted. Also, I believe it puts Hull on the map and shows that we aren’t just a in a little corner that no one knows about but, that there is people in Hull who want to achieve. I believe it’s not just about where someone is from it’s the determination and willingness they put into their chosen sport. KG:With Harry norton, Argyle Bird and Kizzy Wade being shortlisted for many awards does that show the club is heading in the right direction by producing unique players? CW: I believe so we’ve been quite lucky in that sense having a number of players that have played at a high level whether that be in basketball or other sports. I also think it shows that Hull has some great talent and hopefully we can show people this and put Hull on the map. KG: How does it feel to be sponsored by Yorkshire Mobility, is it pleasing that local businesses are sponsoring the panthers? CW: I think it’s fantastic that we’ve managed to get this sponsor and they have helped us a lot over a short period of time. Hopefully we can continue the partnership for years to come. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook then follow @Kingston Panthers to follow the Yorkshire’s side in the National League Division 4. Visit kingstonpanthersbasketball.weebly.com to find out when Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Club are playing or training. If you would like to get involved please email Chris Wilson on chris.wilson-1991@hotmail.com
National League Division 4 North B Team PLD W D L PTS Wakefield Whirlwinds 2
RGK Tees Valley Titans 3B
Sheffield Steelers 4 Kingston Panthers 1
6 4 4 4
5 2 2 0
0 0 0 0
1 4 4 4
11 6 6 4
Source: British Wheelchair Basketball
Picture Courtesy of British Sledge Hockey Association
Matt Clarkson, Great Britain Sledge Hockey Player
MATT CLARKSON ‘I’VE NEVER BEEN AWAY FROM THE ICE SINCE’ Great Britain assistant captain Matt Clarkson speaks to ParaHEY about his journey in sledge hockey from club level to international in the matter of a year.
Matt Clarkson a well known name in the Sledge Hockey World has had a remarkable career to date. The 30 year old who suffers from Spina Bifida a condition were the spine doesn’t develop properly leaving a gap in the spine. Matt was diagnosed at birth with Spina Bifida which left him being paralysed below the knee. As a result this has left Matt having to use crutches to get around his day to day life. Matt states he has never let his condition stop him from achieving his dreams. Matt stated: “Having grown up with the disability I don’t let it get in the way of what I want to do. I attended main stream school, have a full time job, a wife and daughter I try to live life in the percieved normal way.”
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Matt found his love for sledge hockey career when he was 20 years old after spending 2 years out of the sport after rebuilding muscle prior to a shoulder injury. After, being approached for the second time to come back to the sport, Matt admits he’s glad he accepted the invite to Sledge Hockey at a young age. Matt admitted: “It wasn’t the first time I tried the sport, I was approached at the age of ten when me and my friends were asked but, I didn’t go as I was shocked. “I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t gone back at the age of twenty. When I did powerlifting I
Great Britain Sledge Hockey Team
Picture Courtesy of British Sledge Hockey Association enjoyed it but, I never got the buzz out of it like I do out of sledge hockey.” He continued: “I returned to playing sledge hockey when I was 20 and I’ve been playing for eight years now. I was approached in the gym by Matt Lloyd, chairman of British Sledge Hockey whilst I was training for powerlifting, he asked me if I wanted to give sledge hockey a try. That’s what I did and I’ve never been away from the ice.” Matt received a Great Britain call up in 2009 just after playing sledge hockey for two years. From that year he has been in the Great Britain sledge hockey team ever since. After a fantastic performance on his debut in 2009 at the World Championships at Ostrava, Czech Republic. Matt admits it all felt like a fairytale. He was part of the team that He admitted; “I knew in a way that after being tied down to the sport and integrating with the Great Britain team I thought I had a chance to represent my country. In 2009 at the World Championships in Holland I made my debut and scored was an amazing feeling that felt more like a fairytale.” In 2014, Matt had a remarkable year to date with 11 goals and 9 assists in 6 games for Kingston
Kestrels. He was recently called up to the Great Britain Sledge Hockey team for the World Championships in Ostersund, Sweden where countries will play in a series of games throughout the year. Heading into the international competition assistant captain of his country Matt states the hope to play in the Paralympics 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea but, he is well aware of the arising pressure from coaches. He said: “There’s always a degree of pressure to succeed in any sport but when your honoured with pulling on a GB shirt and representing your country you don’t want to let your country down. It would be a dream come true to wear the Great Britain shirt at the Paralmypics but as a team we need to take steps at a time.“ Great Britain in the first round of fixtures at Sweden secured 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses throughout the period in March.
GP 5 1. Korea 5 2. Slovakia 5 3. Sweden 5 4. Poland 5. Great Britain 5 5 6. Austria
W 5 4 3 1 1 0
D 0 0 0 1 1 0
L TP 0 15 1 12 2 9 3 5 3 4 5 0
Source: Swedish Ice Hockey association
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WHEELCHAIR SPORT HULL Are looking for new sponsors for awards 2016
Sponsorship packages of awards are £500 with a host of benefits. Join Hull’s only disability sport awards night. Please contact Darryl Jones on or email him wheelsporthull@hotmail. co.uk for more information.
HULL AND EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE CLUB CONTACT DETAILS Adult Social Boccia Sessions Suzanne contact details: 07899924022 Website: www.activehull.co.uk Twitter: @activehull
Kingston Kestrels Sledge Hockey Club Simon Berry contact details: 07530206633 Website: www.sledgehockey.co.uk Twitter: @KestrelsSledge
All Abilities Archery Pat Revell contact details: 07792757154 Website: www.allabilitiesarchery.co.uk Twitter:@activehull
PAN Disability Football Sessions Peter Allison Contact Details: 07798 884500 Website: www.eastridingfa.com Twitter: @eastridingfa
Cottingham Rangers U16s Disability Football Carol Holcombe contact details: 01482 709309 Website: www.cottinghamrangers.co.uk Twitter:@CottRangers
Special Olympics City Of Hull Janet Nolan Contact Details: 01482 871349 Website: www.fdso.co.uk/special-olympics Twitter: @activehull
East Riding Electric Eels Powerchair Football Club Andy Fox Contact Details:07778321618 Website: www.eastridingelectriceels.co.uk Twitter: @erelectriceels Hessle Rangers U16s Disability Football Peter Allison conact details: 07798 884500 Website: www.hesslerangers.co.uk Twitter: @eastridingfa Hull DSActive Football Katy Marshall contact details: 01482 304758 Website: www.tigerstrust.co.uk Twitter: @tigerstrust Hull & ER Panthers Triathlon Club Joanne Barker contact details: 07833542790 Website: www.hullandeastyorkshiretriathlon.co.uk Twitter:@hulltriathlon
Sproatley Juniors U16s Disability Football Ed Grady contact details: 07904 081955 Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sproatleyjuniorsfc/ Twitter: @SJFCPanDisFooty Wheelchair Sport Hull Daryl Jones contact details: Website: www.wheelchairsportshull.co.uk Twitter: @Wheelsporthull If you would like to try a new sport then contact the club contact details or email Wheelchair Sport Hull. If there is a sport you want to start but you can’t find a club in this region contact Wheelchair Sport Hull.
Hull FC Wheelchair Rugby Club Jed Rust contact details: 07780117302 Website: www.hullfc.com Twitter: @hullfcofficial
Kingston Panthers Wheelchair Basketball Club Chris Wilson contact details: 07743782638 Website: www.kingstonpanthers.com Twitter: @KingPanthersbb
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With it being our first ever issue you are in with a chance of winning a year subcription of PARAHEY ANSWER THIS QUESTION: hOW MANY GOLD MEDALS DID GREAT BRITAIN WIN AT THE LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES? SEND IN YOUR ANSWERS, NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER TO PARACOMPETITION@ GMAIL.COM Competition ends on 22nd June, 2015 by 3pm 27