And Clarke and Reid also honour their work
THE Albion Foundation’s disability department's One Albion project staff and Sporting Club Albion disability teams were rewarded for their hard work and commitment by winning the prestigious Community Project of the Year honour at the recent 2013 Black Country Sport & Physical Activity Awards.
Albion Foundation Ambassador Blind Dave Heeley was on hand to present the trophy to Adam Crowle, (Disability Development Officer) and Paul Hunt (Disability Co-ordinator) at the ceremony, at Dudley’s Copthorne Hotel.
The rest of the team, Paul Glover, Ajay Gill, Andy Turnbull and Steve Crump were also present.
The One Albion Project is funded through Short Breaks funding from Sandwell Council and the Premier League and Players’ Football Association Fund and provides grass roots opportunities in special schools and special educational needs units of mainstream schools for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.
The young people progress to a series of development centres covering a range of disabilities and potentially could be picked for Sporting Club Albion teams, which offer the opportunity to compete at a regional, national and international level.
There are currently four power chair, visually impaired, blind, four Pan Senior, Pan girls, Pan junior and Down syndrome teams.
The award capped a great week for the disability department following their own celebration night at The Hawthorns, when Albion head coach Steve Clarke and defender Steven Reid presented trophies and certificates to an audience of more than 200 people.
Rob Lake, Albion Foundation Director said: “This is a tremendous achievement by the team and is richly deserved.
“We are all very proud of the work we do within our disability department and it is wonderful to be recognised at this level.
“I would like to thank all of the staff who were at the awards but also the countless other coaches, staff and volunteers who make this possible.”
Also nominated in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category at the 2013 Black Country Sport & Physical Activity Awards was Helen Fisher, who recently visited Buckingham Palace as she was recognised by the FA, as part of their 150-year celebration, for her contribution to girls and women’s football.