World Cerebral Palsy Day: Mason and Zak Loving Football at Tranmere
Saturday 6th October, is World Cerebral Palsy Day. To raise awareness of the 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy and another 350 million people who are closely connected to someone with cerebral palsy we are focusing on Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s disability football sessions. Rovers have provided two young fans with the opportunity to participate in the sport they love in a safe and friendly atmosphere.
Ten-year-old Mason and his friend, Zak, aged eight, both have cerebral palsy but that does not stop either of them putting on their football boots and playing the beautiful game.
“I love coming to the sessions and playing football with my friends,” admitted Mason. “We get to play matches too, so I am exercising on a regular basis. I started watching football when I was just three years old and I have now been attending the football sessions at Tranmere for the last four years.”
Explaining how he started playing football, Zak said:
“I played football with my Grandad in the park before my first session at Tranmere when I was six. I come along to Tranmere Rovers games now too and I watch football with my Dad. With the sessions, I love that we get to train and play matches against each other every week.”
The disability football sessions are run on a weekly basis at Prenton Park in the indoor Recreation Centre and each session is always busy with children enjoying the training sessions led by our fully qualified coaches.
The disability football sessions are open for children aged 6-11 years old on a Wednesday from 4-5pm, and on a Tuesday 4-5pm for children aged 11-16 years old. Both Mason and Zak hope by sharing their stories, it will encourage more to start playing the game.
Mason said:
“It is really good fun playing with people who have similar disabilities and do not let anything hold you back, go and have fun like we are doing!”
Zak added:
“It is a great chance to make some new friends. You have to take every opportunity play and if you ever think you are not good enough, you have got to just keep doing and enjoy playing as that is the important thing.”
Strong words from two young men, and Tranmere Rovers in the Community coach, Faye Jones, who runs the sessions, praised both Mason and Zak for sharing their stories.
“They are two great lads and they are an absolute pleasure to coach. They are both very enthusiastic and love playing football. They are a real inspiration and they want to help more children to follow in their footsteps and play football or participate in any sport.”
Tranmere Rovers in the Community run disability sessions for all ages, for more information, please contact Faye via email – [email protected] or call 0151 6082354.
