03 Sep Premier League Disability Football Festivals help Huddersfield Town participants thrive

Posted at 09:04h in Inclusion, Sport by

Huddersfield Town representatives were among the hundreds of participants from across England and Wales to take part in three Premier League Disability Football Festivals, run by Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Everton.

The festivals gave players the chance to show that disability should be no barrier in sport as well as highlighting how the Premier League’s community programmes – Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires, and Premier League Primary Stars – provide opportunities and experiences for young people to fulfil their potential.

Huddersfield Town participant Aahil spoke about his experience taking part in the festivals, having participated at the event hosted by Everton in the Community:

“Being here and representing Huddersfield is an amazing experience. It’s a pleasure to be here. The atmosphere is really good.

“It helps me, you play against different people that have got different disabilities, get to know a bit more about other people and how they play football. It’s another experience in life.

“I was born with a defect in my leg and about three years ago I had to have it amputated. When my leg was amputated, I was 100 per cent certain that I was going to carry on playing. Nothing’s going to stop me.

“It means a lot to be part of this. My mum is really proud of me. My family was proud of me. School was proud of me. I’m really proud of myself.

“Being here makes me feel that I am not alone. There’s loads of people here and everyone is enjoying it.

“These tournaments are really important for disability sport. Disabled people have a lot of talent that doesn’t get shown so it’s really good to have this type of thing. Having this opportunity to show what I can do is really important to me.

“We are showing that disability is not a barrier. There are some people who say rude stuff, but you can’t let that stop you, you have to carry on going, you have to prove them wrong.”

Find out more about the Premier League Disability Football Festivals