WELCOME BOOST FOR SHIELDS CLUB
SOUTH Shields Visually Impaired Football Club are the latest recipients of a Northern Electric Foundation for Sport Team Award.
The Five-a-side footbal club, founded in 1994 and members of the British Football Association for the Visually Impaired since they joined the league in Division Two, receive a cash boost of £500 plus £500 worth of View From sportswear.
The National League consists of 13 teams and approximately 100 young people with a variety of visual impairments.
During their first season (1994/95) they won automatic promotion to Division One - the promotion was dependent on the last match of the season which they won 4-0. During this season they also competed in an International Club Tournament in Dublln.
ln the 95/96 season they finished third in their first year in Division One and their first Home tournament was held at Temple Park Leisure Centre - for the staging of which they won great praise.
During the 96/97 season (still in Division One) two of their players were chosen to play for Great Britain in an outdoor International 7-a-side competition in Rome against italy, France Spain and Greece. They finished runners-up to France.
The team also finished runners-up in the first ever National Outdoor 7-a-side competition held at Temple Park Leisure Centre, again receiving praise for the professionally staged competition.
Simon Russell said: "When the team started to come together back in 1994, 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 would like to encourage more visually impaired people in the region to come along and have a go with the aim of possibly joining the club - I can be contacted on 456 6275 in the evenings.
"We are very grateful to Northern Electric for the Foundation for Sport Award - it will enable us to travel to away games around the country - we're the only North East club and raise our own funds. This award is a big boost for us and it reinforces the fact that disability needn't stop your enjoyment of sport."
