COLCHESTER UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO LAUNCH CEREBRAL PALSY ADULT FOOTBALL TEAM

Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF) are delighted to announce the launch of a new Colchester United Cerebral Palsy (CP) football team, set to represent the club in competitions, tournaments, and regular weekly training sessions. This exciting programme is due to kick off in January 2025.

To ensure our training sessions are accessible and convenient for all participants, we are asking that interested players fill out an expression of interest form. This will help us determine the best days, times, and venue for sessions based on community feedback.

The CP football sessions are open to anyone aged sixteen and over, with no restrictions on ability, whether you are trying football for the first time or have experience, all are welcome. CP football is designed for individuals with cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions affecting physical mobility, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Participants must be ambulant, meaning they can move without aid.

Register your interest HERE.

This initiative has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Ashley Hammond. Ashley was born and raised in Colchester and is a lifelong Colchester United fan. Ashley is the CEO of the world governing body for CP football, the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football. Ashley now resides in the United States where he also runs a non-profit, nationwide CP Soccer programme. “My dream in funding this programme in Colchester is that we can see the Colchester United team compete in the IFPCF Club World Cup next summer in the US. Our programme in the US is fee-free and with our donation we wanted make sure that the players in Colchester would also be able to participate at no cost. I am hoping that the Colchester public will get behind helping this new team to the States next summer and the chance to compete on the world stage."

Ed King, Head of Health and Inclusion at CUCF, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We are incredibly thankful to Ashley for his donation, which allows us to launch a CP football team under the Colchester United name. From our first conversation, it was clear how deeply Ashley cares for Colchester and its community. His passion shines through, and we’re proud to bring his vision to life. Please spread the word about the programme to friends and family.”

We hope to see our team competing in the IFCPF Club World Cup in America by next summer. This will be an incredible opportunity for our players to represent Colchester United on a global scale.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining, please register your interest today.