The event was at Charlton Athletic FC on June 4th 2014. Lord Pendry, the President of the Football Foundation, joined us for the evening.
The Mayor of Royal Greenwich Angela Cornforth was in attendance. John Fahy the deputy leader of the council was also attending. This was important as the Greenwich Powerchair FC were awarded their FA Charter Tandard by David James and Josie Clifford from London Football Association. He helped us launch the South London Special League ten years ago.
Over the past 6 years we have thoroughly enjoyed a partnership at the Waterfront Leisure Centre where GLL (BETTER) has provided us with the use of their facilities at a really beneficial price, enabling us to offer many opportunities to disabled people young and old to take part in Powerchair Football, Archery, Short Tennis and Table-Cricket. We have also delivered a highly successful Specialist Sports Camp during some of the school holidays. At the Waterfront Leisure Centre the staff have gone out of their way to assist us in promoting the health and well-being of disabled players.
Now, to consolidate this excellent partnership, after an absence of a few years we have returned to Coldharbour Leisure Centre to deliver our exceptional football league that enables disabled youngsters to play regular, competitive league football as a small-sided game. How fantastic that we can use these wonderful new pitches. Moreover, we have been welcomed to use the facilities to socialise and relax after our league tournaments. Realising the value of our project and how it can be enhanced by accessing Coldharbour Leisure Centre, it has been made as attractive as possible in what are difficult times when everybody needs to survive. Your generosity is outstanding!
This has a special meaning for us as we delivered our first league tournament here nearly ten years ago, just after launching the project. It is highly significant as in 2014 we will be celebrating our tenth anniversary since our birth!
On Tuesday May 28th 2013 we were invited, with other Greenwich residents to the Cutty Sark to meet Prince Philip. This was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Cutty Sark Association, of which Prince Philip is president.
With me were 2 Powerchair football players, Kieron Gibbons, and Emily Campbell. Also 2 women’s footballers from the South London Terriers, Sophie Hobbs and Kalisha Smikle-Isaacs.
“In November, as part of BBC Children in Need doing their annual fundraiser, we were visited by Barney Harwood from Blue Peter to celebrate the success of this brilliant project”
Above. One of one of our successful Powerchair football players, Emily Campbell. Emily is holding the cup won by Charlton Athletic FC last season when they were top of their league, and managed to move to the Championship. Some of the team members came to visit us with the Cup!
Above, some of the powerchair football players with their coach, Rhea Mackennon.
On Thursday March 19th Ruth McDermott from BBC Children in Need came to The Waterfront Leisure centre Powerchair training session to present Greenwich Powerchair Football Club with a cheque of £69,600 for 3 year’s funding.
Above. From left to right on photo of Cheque presentation.
Sharon Brokenshire MBE (Director); John Fahy (Deputy Leader, RBG); Steve Johnston (Strategic Development Manager, SLSL); Rachel (BBC CIN); Mick Hayes (Mayor of RBG); Gill Hayes (Mayoress, RBG); Sam Wright (General Manager Waterfront LC); Joe Sheehan (Volunteer); Liam Prospere (Player); Emily Campbell (Player); Kieran Gibbons (player); Shea French Gibons (Player); David Gale (player); Rhea Daly (Head coach); Jessca Landeryou (assistant coach).
Sunday, January 18th 2015 at Surrey University Sports Centre.
Kyle Alexander (Captain); Shea French-Gibbens; Emily Campbell; Kieran Gibbons
Greenwich Powerchair Football Club played two League matches and a Cup match. Currently top of the league with Invicta 2 points behind, they needed to win all games to maintain their position. First game was against Swindon with a 2-0 win; Shea French-Gibbens with the first goal, from a corner delivered by Kyle Alexander, who went on to score the second. Second game shortly followed with a 5-0 win against Norwich; Kyle Alexander scoring four goals, two from a first time spin kick from the opponents goal kick, as well as an own goal. Greenwich Powerchair Football Club remain in first possession with 16 points from 5 wins, 1 draw. The Cup game was against Brighton & Hove Seagulls. Shea French-Gibbens, once again scoring from a corner delivered by Kyle Alexander. In the second half Emily Campbell made a brilliant run with the ball towards the near post, bringing the goalkeeper and defender across to make the save before flicking the ball back across the goal line to Archie Jones to score, at the back post. Emily Campbell then completed her game with goal of her own from a corner, and a successful 3-0 win to Greenwich PFC.
