Foundation

Powerchair title 'nine years in the making'

NINE years ago, Paul Hunt took his first powerchair training session as a member of staff at The Albion Foundation.

Now, West Bromwich Albion's Powerchair team are national champions.

Nearly a decade on, Paul is still at the helm of Albion's powerchair empire, which has evolved past recognition from its early days and now boasts one of, if not the largest powerchair setups in the country.

"I put the time and effort into it to give disabled people the opportunity to play football," said Paul.

"It's been nine years in the making, so to achieve the national title now is just unbelievable."

Paul was a lone coach with four players to train at his first training session. He now has four coaches to help him train and inspire 36 powerchair players, from young beginners to two teams in the national league.

The sport has been developing year on year, and is now a linchpin in the lives of many of Albion's powerchair players and coaches, such as Chris Gordon and Matt Bodin, who recently coached WBA Powerchair to their first ever title.

"To be competitive as a team and play as a team to try and achieve something, it's the ultimate goal," said Chris, who not only coaches WBA Powerchair, but plays for them to.

"Without powerchair football now, I don't know what I would be doing."

The sport has been similarly influential in Rich George's life, who has been involved with Albion for over eight years.

"With my disability, there's not many sports that I can take part in," said Rich.

"Powerchair football, because I am a big fan of football, it's like I can play for West Brom here.

"It's just really exciting."

To get involved with the Foundation's powerchair setup, please contact paul.hunt@albionfoundation.co.uk.

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