friendly regional tournament

Last weekend South West CP team took part in our first tournament of the year.
The tournament consisted of three friendlies, we played:
West Midlands, Midlands and Chelsea.
The tournament went okay but we have a lot to improve on as the teams around us have become stronger, it is up to us to get to there level.

New Season

I have had a great start to the new season, scoring 3 in 4 games for my university. My performances in the 11 aside game a certainly making a difference for the 7 aside game.
I am now playing in Plymouth Argyle's Prem 1 side, a team that are unbeaten in 6 seasons

A letter to Louis

Lou,
I know if you could see this you would tell me to stop been so soft or something.
I have been thinking about you a lot recently mate perhaps because it is the start of the new football season.
I started this blog to keep track of the things i have achieved in football, you played a massive part in me improving as a player over the time we were team-mates on the pitch and friends off it, so it seems the perfect place to write this. I was never able to thank you for putting an arm round me when my confidence was low after that red card i got a few seasons back, thank you for that Lou,
one of the reasons I have written this is every time i step onto a football pitch I think of you mate, and expect to see you at the back.
This season I have ordered my new boots, Adidas like we both had, I have had your initials and number 6 put on them, I wanted to do this so that I know you are still on the pitch with me when im playing next year.
Miss you skip
Alex x

South West 20/08/11

On the 2Oth August 2011, I attended the South West CP trials.
A lot has changed since the last session we had together as a squad.
The first noticeable change was the number of coaches and supporters we now have since our success last time around.
We have also added a number of new players to the ranks who i hope can match the skill,attitude and discipline of the first team regulars.
Overall there is a good feeling around the squad going into the new season, and we are training well.

It was a shame to see one face missing on Saturday; Sarah Lawler was the assistant coach last season, and played a key part in the second placed finish we secured at Nationals. I know myself and the lads would like to wish her all the best at Yeovil Town

The Green Army

Next month I will be going into my second season with Plymouth Argyle. In my first season in the green and white of Plymouth i ended as my teams top goal scorer and league runners up by one point.
The 2011/2012 season will bring a new challenge for me.
I have been selected for the Plymouth Argyle Premiership Squad. Undefeated in five years, the task is simple, play well or get replaced.
I see this as a step up for me in terms of disability football, which can only help to develop me as an England and GB regular for the future.
Again i would like to thank Graham Eyles, the head coach at Plymouth Argyle

2010-11 Ability Counts Prize Winners:

Championship: Plymouth Argyle Pilgrims (Winners), Plymouth Argyle (R/Up), Torquay Utd Inspirations (Fair Play Award)

League 1: Plymouth Argyle (Winners), Plymouth Argyle Reserves (R/Up), Horizon Hotshots (Fair Play Award)

League 2: Tavistock Specials (Winners), Plymouth Argyle Pilgrims (R/Up), Torquay Utd Inspirations (Fair Play Award)

Profile- Alistair Heselton

Alistair Heselton, a former QPR footballer, is a powerful striker who knows how to find the net.
Alistair and I started our England and GB careers at the same time, we both met at Lilleshall National sports centre.
Alistair who now runs a car Vinly wrapping business, has a fascinating story, in which he explained his ups and downs during his football career.
He was involved in a car crash whilst on the books at QPR which tragically cut short the life of his best pal and fellow footballer Simon Paterson. This however has not stopped him from becoming a fully capped international footballer.
I have room shared with Alistair on a few occasions, I have enjoyed getting to know Alistair, and i hope we both go on to successful careers in the England set up

South West Trials

South West trials are open Saturday 20th August.
I hope to see all of the boys from last years squad and maybe a few more to add depth to the team.
I have been named as captain for the season 2011/2012, which is something i am honored to do.

The South West now boast three capped England internationals:
Alex Mullin
Liam Nicholls
Alex Cossins

SEASON AIM: WIN NATIONALS WIN ALL TOURNAMENTS

profile- Martin Sinclair

Martin Sinclair is a hardworking jack of all trades on the football pitch. He began life as a footballer at the Bristol City Academy, however a serious hip injury saw him leave his dream early. Martin was introduced into disability football under the watchful eye of Graham Eyles at Plymouth Argyle, who are now my club.

Martin is the older brother of Swansea City star Scott Sinclair, and could quite easily live in the shadow of Scott's remarkable talent, however this isn't Martins style.
The relationship he shares with both his footballing brothers is something that they should all be proud of.

He is happy to play in any position, but is best suited at left back. where he has since gone on to form a formidable partnership as England's back line alongside the experienced Essex born Michael Wilson.
In his early years with England he found it hard to break into the squad, whilst competing in Home Nations at Lilleshall, he watched mainly from the bench. A period of time where he said he learnt a lot about the CP game.
Through the late months of 2011, when I first joined the England squad it was clear that Martin had become a major part of the England set up and a first team regular.
Martin and I have become very close mates on and off the field and i have learnt a lot from him since I began in the squad.
we were able to get to know each other well during training sessions with the GB squad, and on my first tour with England in Dublin. It became clear to me, how much football means to Martin, with the help of England team captain Matt Dimbylow, he has set up a charity " DREAM IT BELIEVE IT ACHIEVE IT" which helps to raise money for Paralympic sport.

I don't fold under pressure, great athletes perform better under pressure... so put pressure on me.

I have been training harder than ever in the gym at the moment, it is the first time in over a year that i have enjoyed my training and i am starting to see the benefits from this

2011-2012 season

"I'd much rather have the honesty than not. Because if you will say what's on your mind and get it off your chest, then the sooner I can prove you wrong!" Lance Armstrong

The dream is still alive ....

I received my British Olympic Association card in the post this week.
I have been given exclusive membership in the gold members group.
This card represents more than football to me, it represents just how far i have managed to come in the last 10 months of football, and the last 20 years of my life.
my dream has always been to represent England, now have can tick that box, my new dream is to captain them in the years to come ...

Profile Wednesday's

Every Wednesday I will be doing a profile of one of my team-mates, so that you can all get to know them more.

Wednesday 27th July 2011:

Name: Jonathan Paterson

Team: Scotland and GB 

Position: Midfield 

Jonathan Paterson (JP) is the Scotland seniors captain. Since I came into the squad just under a year ago, one thing has always been clear about JP, he lives, breathes and sleeps football.

He is a hard tackling, skillful central midfielder, who in my opinion boasts the best left foot in cp football.

JP was chosen to represent GB as captain in Beijing.

He has become a close friend of mine on and off the field despite playing for the old enemy, i hope one day we are able to line in up the same starting seven.

I am a champion

This is perhaps one of the best motivational speeches i have heard i will play this before my next match

Michael Barker Englands number 7

A great resukt for Michael Barker, the former Everton player, as he continues to show why he is regarded as one of the best players in the world ...

• 

Barker takes Golden Boot

• Print 
• Email 
• Share 

Thursday, 30 June, 2011 

Defeat to Ireland sees fifth place tenth, but Golden Boot for Barker.

  Michael Barker has finished as the top scorer at the 2011 Cerebral Palsy World Cup in the Netherlands despite England having to settle for an overall finish of tenth.

The Merseyside youngster smashed home 11 goals during the tournament with hat-tricks against South Korea, Japan and Australia.

But England’s tournament finished in disappointing fashion with the Republic of Ireland chalking up a comfortable 5-0 win over Lyndon Lynch’s men last night.

The FA’s Head of Disability Football, Jeff Davis, commented: “It’s been a very hit and miss tournament for us in all honesty. We hit double figures twice and gave finalists, Russia, a really good game on the opening weekend but we struggled against teams on a similar level to us so that’s something we have to work on between now and the Paralympics.

“Scotland have had an excellent tournament and shown great team spirit in finishing top eight so those players will be available to Team GB and looking to be involved at London 2012.

“We’ve got plenty of Home Nation talent to look at over the coming months.”

Davis was impressed with Barker’s contribution with the 24-year-old putting himself in contention for selection at London 2012: “He’s had a fantastic tournament and has shown some real quality in front of goal.

“He’s got big competition experience having gone to Beijing in 2008 and is probably one of the best Cerebral Palsy players in the world right now. I’m sure the likes of Iran, Russia and Ukraine would love to have him in their team so Michael’s been a big positive for us.”

The tournament concludes this evening with Iran taking Russia in the final.

Training

Although we have been given a 3 week period of active rest, i have chosen this time to really up my training. I have recently got a job at my local holiday park, this is ideal as i am outside a lot doing activities. I get free access of the gym on site where i go when i finish work.
here is my recent training programme:

Mr Mullin

How the devil are you?!

Ok hope you are well rested and ready to start serious training.

For your weights you need to do the following (you need to find a weight for each one that you can lift at least 15 times. Make sure you record this)

 

Exercise	Sets	Reps	Rest	Load (kg)
Single leg squats	3 on each leg	15	60s
Bench press	3	15	60s
Deadlift	3	15	60s
Med ball twisting sit ups	3	15	60s
Bus drivers (look these up on internet to see what they are!)	3	15	60s
Hamstring swiss ball bridges	3	Hold 30s each leg	60s
Dumbbell bent over row	3 each arm	15	60s

 

Do your stretches after!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any problems with any exercises let me know.

You should be doing some interval running training now, have you been given any?

Speak soon
Caroline

spurs training

England CP National Football Squad  Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and The FA have come together to deliver a project aimed at giving the country's top football players with Cerebral Palsy the best possible opportunity of success ahead of the London 2012 Paralympics. Steven Pienaar and Heurelho Gomes helped launch this exciting new initiative at the Club's Spurs Lodge training ground, alongside members of the England CP national football squad. England Ready will see the England CP squad given access to elite level coaching sessions held at the Lodge, before many of the players go on to represent Great Britain in 2012. Tottenham Hotspur Foundation's reputation within the field of disability sports provision led the FA to approach them to work in partnership to deliver England Ready. The Foundation's unique link to the Tottenham Hotspur Academy will enable the elite level coaching to take place with the squad on a fortnightly basis. Pathways for young CP football players from Tottenham Hotspur's local area to represent their country will also be provided through a Football and Education Development Centre the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation runs in partnership with Southgate College, Enfield. The launch of England Ready also aims to raise awareness of the England CP squad, and players can get involved in the scheme's talent identification process by contacting their local County FA. James Isaac, Equalities and Inclusion Manager, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation said: "The Foundation strives to support disabled athletes to reach their full potential in the sport of their choice. At this present time the best way that Tottenham Hotspur can add value to the development of elite athletes within cerebral palsy football is to support the FA to provide high quality coaching sessions within an elite environment. We would also like to support the players individually to access the right level of football within their local communities. This could form part of a disability football structure or an existing football team taking part in a county football league and with the right level of support, some of the players will also be able to access football opportunities at semi professional football clubs." Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director, Tottenham Hotspur, and Trustee, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: "It's fantastic to be hosting and funding this training for the team ahead of the 2012 Paralympics. It's one of the many ways our Foundation, the largest in the Premier League, delivers sport and community programmes throughout several boroughs in London. Steven Pienaar said: "I've been really impressed with how much time and effort the Club and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation put into their community and wider sport activities. The players here today are getting access to Premier League facilities and that can only be beneficial for their preparations ahead of the 2012 games."

England Away Shirrt 2011-2012

The New England away shirt for 2011-2012 season cant wait to wear it 

Crewe Fitness Tests

I went to Crewe recently to take part in a fitness day.
The tests consisted of different things that tested the gate of my calf.
One of the tests sent an electric current through each of my legs, which was a bit uncomfortable.

The tests were well worth doing, I learnt a lot from them, and about different parts of a training lab.

Marjon

I was interviewed to be in the Marjon University prospectus. I staged a number of different interviews and was also filmed doing some of my training drills, although it was an early morning start it was well worth it.

This is How Much England means too me

I Recently got the date i made my england debut tattooed on my ribs. 

I decided to get this done so that the feeling i got when i first pulled on the England shirt would not leave me, each time i look at it, it makes me hungry to play again for my country