Kieron joined the club in September 2007. He is an upper and lower limb amputee and plays as a striker for the team. The club has supported Kieron in obtaining his Level One football coaching qualification and he is planning to start his Level Two qualification in the near future. Kieron also assists with the disability section coaching, running the under-15 training on Saturday mornings in conjunction with Special Olympic St Albans. He has been nominated for the Hertfordshire Football Association County Awards Volunteer of the Year Award in the 16-25 category.

How did you find out about St Albans City Youth Disability?

I saw an advert at a hospital for another disability football team but they were too far away from where I live in Luton. I then contacted Bedfordshire FA to see if there were other teams locally and they put me in contact with Hertfordshire FA, who in turn put me in contact with City.

 

As well as playing you are also one of the coaches with the disability section, how did that come about?

The Club suggested that I took my Level One qualification. Learning about coaching has helped me as a player, making me think about how I play which has made me a better player. I have used the qualification to take a more active role within the disability section, helping to support the other coaches and helping the section grow. I started coaching the under-15 disability players in September 2008 and the session has grown from just two players to a regular turnout of about six, although we have twelve registered.

 

What challenges do you face as an amputee playing football?

The biggest challenge for me is the movement aspect of the game. However I am able to think ahead and am a second quicker in my head than the opponents, which helps to compensate if they are able to run quicker. I can also use my tactical awareness to help some of my teammates who are not as tactically aware.

 

Which other teams have you played for prior to St Albans City Youth Disability?

I have never played for any other team. I always enjoyed football as a kid, but was not allowed to play at school because of insurance problems. I played mini soccer in my local area until I was ten but was not able to play beyond that age group. For a couple of years I helped out with the team but lost interest as I was not playing. Twelve years later I saw the advert at the hospital and thought ‘I fancy some of that’, and am thoroughly enjoying playing again.

 

What does St Albans City Youth Disability Section mean to you?

It has given me the opportunity to be part of a team as an equal, competing to the best of my ability. I have also had opportunities that I would not have had before both as a player and as a coach. In particular I enjoy the chance to give something back to the community, which as a bonus provides both personal and professional benefits.

 

Stop press - Kieran was awarded the Hertfordshire FA County - 18-25 Volunteer of the Year Award at the County Awards held at Watford FC on 2nd June 2009