Boost for soccer team

A VISUALLY impaired football team from South Tyneside have scooped £1,000 from the Northern Electric Foundation for sport fund.

South Shields Visually Impaired 5-a-side team were founded in 1994 and started off in the second division of the Visually Impaired League.

Since their foundation, the club have been promoted and have also competed in an International club competition in Dublin. During last season two of their players were chosen to play for a Great Britain team which competed against Italy, France, Spain and Greece in Rome.

The club hope to taste more success after scooping the award, which consists of £500 and £500 worth of View From sportswear.

One of the South Shields players, Simon Russell, said: "When the team started we found like-minded people in the area who loved sport but were wary of taking part because of their sight.

Forming the club has done us all the world of good as we can all keep fit, train together and be competitive which really boosts your confidence.

We are grateful to Northern Electric for the Foundation for Sport Award - it will enable us to travel to away games around the country.

This award is a big boost for us and it reinforces the fact that disability needn't stop your enjoyment of sport."

Any visually impaired people in the South Tyneside area who would like to join the team can contact Simon Russell on (0191) 456 6247.