Chelsea inspire visually-impaired children in Cobham training session

Three visually-impaired youngsters joined coaching sessions with Chelsea’s pan-disability players at the club’s training centre in Cobham.

The trio – one of whom travelled up from Plymouth for the opportunity – were there as part of a partnership between the club and Blind Children UK, and also took part in small-sided matches during the 90-minute session.

Stamford the Lion made a guest appearance, with the players taking turns to take penalties against the Chelsea mascot before pausing for group and individual photographs.

The event was designed to encourage players with disabilities to develop their health and independence and realise their full potential – and was part of a campaign to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by children with sight loss and their families.

“I really feel proud that the Chelsea Foundation is able to offer the opportunity for people to play sports that might not get those opportunities otherwise,” said Andy Rose, inclusion project coach for the Chelsea Foundation.

“Just to see the smile on all of the faces of the players and watching them all join in and have fun makes it all worthwhile.

“We want to be able to help people that struggle to access sport so we can get to a point where everyone in the UK that wants to play sport can.”

Theo Sergiou, 13, who took part in the session, said: “Sometimes my vision impairment can make me feel a bit different to other children, but this wasn’t the case at the training session at Chelsea. We all had a really good time and were made to feel like pros.”

Meanwhile, youngsters from the Chelsea FC Hong Kong Soccer School enjoyed a weekend to remember on and off the pitch at the annual Soccer Sevens tournament.

The under-nines and under-12s teams representing the club’s first Soccer School in Asia – launched in December 2009 – were both victorious in the Plate competition.

The youngsters also met a number of youth team players, including goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, striker Islam Feruz and midfielders Charlie Colkett and Kasey Palmer, who were in attendance for the main tournament.

That seemed to inspire them, with the under-12s going on to beat the Canadian International School 2-0 in their Plate final and the under-nines edging out Kowloon Cricket Club 1-0 in their final.

“I’ve got to say thanks to the Academy players and the staff for taking the time out to say hello and meet our players,” said senior development officer for Asia, Dave Stewart.

“All the children were very excited to meet the future stars of Chelsea and it highlights the club’s continued support to the area as part of the Here to Play, Here to Stay ethos.”

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