'Ability Counts' Football League Update
Herefordshire College of Technology recently hosted the latest round of the British College’s ‘Sports Ability Counts’ Football fixtures. The teams are made up of 6 players all of whom have learning difficulties or disabilities. The West Midlands league is the most established of its kind consisting of 7 teams. On this occasion 6 teams were able to attend and provided some entertaining football and good sportsmanship in front of a crowd of parents and carers.
Hereford had a dream start to the competition beating their close friends, Halesowen College, with a 7-0 victory. The next fixture was a tough game against Henley who has been one of the top two colleges each year since its inception.
The attitude showed by the Hereford team after they went down 3-0 was exemplary and they bounced straight back with a solid 4-2 victory over Sandwell. Hereford then narrowly lost 1-0 to tournament winners Hereward and then lost 5-1 to North East Worcestershire.
Hereford finished 4th on the day and remain in 4th place overall. Between now and the next fixture, coach and tutor Kevin Arnold will be busy training the team with Worcester University student coach Jon Patton to develop their skills and team cohesion with a view to overtake Henley and move to 3rd place at the next set of fixtures.
Huw Pritchard, the event organiser commented, “The tournament was made possible with professional support from HCT student referee Jon Addis, and Hereford College of Art’s student photographers Luke Carthey and George Sharman. HCT’s close sporting relationship with Whitecross School through the ‘School Sports Partnership’(SSP), led to the donation of their fantastic facilities, enabling a great day to be had by all. We really appreciate the support of the Whitecross SSP.”
Paul Reynolds, the Henley coach who initiated the league commented, “Thanks to Hereford for hosting round three of the West Midland’s Ability Counts League, it was a good venue, well organised and personally I think it was one of the best fixtures we have had.”
Ability Counts Team;
Conan McDougal, Mitchell Gore, Paul Burgess, Alex Chapman, Russell Hornsby, Kyran Hughes. Harry Poyner, Mark Bethall. Coach Kevin Arnold and Jon Patton
