7 June 2013
Year 11 student, George Fox, who currently plays football for the North West Cerebral Palsy Under 16 football team which draws members from Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside, has his ambitions set on playing for England and perhaps the 2016 Paralympics.
Recently, George was spotted at a tournament, and was asked to attend an England Emerging Talent Camp at St Georges Park (the very recently built multi million pound football centre in Derbyshire, where England train), from where he was then asked to attend the England Cerebral Palsy Development Squad training weekend at St George's Park last weekend. This is one step away from joining the actual England squad from where players are selected to represent their country in tournaments and international games, and indeed where the players for the 2016 Paralympics will be picked!
Whilst nothing is certain and no guarantees are offered, if George continues to improve and shows dedication and hard work at future training weekends he stands a real chance of getting selected for the actual squad and there is a chance that he could play in an International Development Squad Tournament coming up between the Home Countries in July. If he were to be selected for this he would be awarded a coveted England Cap! To this end the England Coaches who put George, and the other boys on the training weekend through their paces this weekend, have sent George a specific training programme and diet that he needs to follow to maintain his fitness and hopefully to progress and improve.
George, said "I am extremely passionate and committed to football and I see this as a fantastic opportunity. I know that nothing is certain or guaranteed but I am prewspared to work hard and do my utmost to be able to represent England at some point in the future."
At 8 George had a promising football talent and played football for the YMCA under 8's . He showed real potential and had passion and speed. Unfortunately, after his sudden and unexpected brain haemorrhage George spent 2 weeks in intensive care fighting for his life and then 3 months in Pendlebury children's hospital relearning how to hold his head up, sit up,and eventually how to walk again. Football seemed like a long way off! In addition to the physical difficulties he has had to overcome, and still lives with now, he has also lost 50% of his vision in both eyes. For an adult this would have been devastating, indeed it has been difficult for George to readjust. However, he has done this with remarkable grit and determination and with great strength of character. George has never felt sorry for himself and given in to his difficulties, but has found a way to adapt to the challenges he faces and his winning personality and charm has set him in good stead as he has gradually rehabilitated over the last 7 years. His love for football never went away, although it was temporarily thwarted, and he is now in the fantastic position of potentially being able to represent his country in the disabled world.
