The Cheshire Academy-Blue Blazers Football Club
Under 12’s football team
Club History
The Blue Blazers Football is a FA Charter standard football club affiliated to Crewe FC. It is a very inclusive club which welcomes children with Physical disabilities, Sensory disabilities and Learning or Intellectual disabilities.
When was the Club established
The club was established in 2002, and uses the Cumberland Arena in Crewe as its training venue.
How are sessions structured
We have an under 12 years mixed boys and girls team which starts training from the age of four. We have a Boys under 16 team (13—16 years) and a young adult (16 years and over) team. Classes are structured round a number of principles -the development of basic football skills, enhancing fitness and cardiovascular health, developing overall body coordination and balance, developing confidence and awareness and most importantly highlighting the enjoyment that football can bring.
Experience has taught us that children and young adults with disabilities can feel isolated from the community and one of the important roles of the club is to develop a sense of community where children and young adults have the opportunity to make and meet new friends and be part of a team sport.
What sort of disabilities does the club cater for
The club caters for children and young adults with a whole range of disabilities and has within its ranks members who have cerebral palsy, autism, downs syndrome, amputees, ADHD, epilepsy, as well as children with Learning and Intellectual disabilities. Children and young adults who have no disabilities are also most welcome to join.
What about athletes who partially sighted or registered blind
The Cheshire Academy has many years of experience working with children and young adults who are partially sighted or registered blind. A number have gone on to compete locally and regionally.
How Successful is the Club
The Club regularly plays in the Cheshire Ability Counts league and has members who train at the Cheshire FA centre of excellence. It also plays matchs within organisations such as Special Olympics where children and young adults with learning disabilities have the opportunity to compete.
In previous years the club has represented the North West of England at the Great Britain National Special Olympic Games. Some of our players even made a DVD with David James (ex England goal keeper) on the principles of goalkeeping. The DVD has been release European Wide.
Are the coaches fully qualified
Coaches are qualified to the appropriate FA qualifications. Blue Blazers coaches have been fully CRB police checked and hold FA child protection and first aid qualifications.
Where do we train
Although the club is based at the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sports and Arts in Crewe, we train on 3G pitches at the Cumberland Sports Arena every Saturday mornings.
Is this sport appropriate for use in Schools
Disability football is very appropriate for use in Schools. Often children with disabilities are left out of football sessions at School because the skills may be too difficult for them. Because the Blue Blazers club is used to working with children with disabilities we are able to structure activities to ensure that even the most disabled child can participate.
How to contact us
If you would like to know more about the work of our disability football club or about any of our summer or easter football schools please contact us at cheshireacadem@aol.com
How to contact the club
For more in formation about joining our Football classes please contact the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts at cheshireacadem@aol.com or telephone Jane on (01270) 255355 or alternatively come in and have a chat with us at the Cheshire Academy on Macon Way in Crewe.