UEFA en CP-voetbal

01-10-2009
CP aandacht op de website van de UEFA

Cerebral palsy finals come to Europe

Tuesday 29 September 2009

 Seven-a-side football for players with cerebral palsy is a sport that has steadily been growing over the past 30 years and, in addition to financial support from UEFA, the game in Europe has received a boost with the award of the 2011 World Championship to the Netherlands, while the 2010 European Championship has been allocated to Scotland.

UEFA funding
The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA), which received UEFA's CHF1m Monaco charity cheque in 2007 for development of the game, was founded in 1978 for athletes with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury, stroke and related conditions. The organisation has developed a modified version of football for its players with the game played on a smaller pitch with smaller goals, while players can roll the ball into play instead of taking throw-ins.

Holland hosts
The 2011 World Championship will be held from 17 June to 1 July in the Dutch province of Drenthe, with games taking place in the cities of Assen, Emmen and Hoogeveen. There will be 16 teams competing in the event with the top eight in the final ranking qualifying for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "Football for players with a disability is rapidly growing," said KNVB secretary general Harry Been. "Apart from FIFA ad UEFA, CPISRA have now put their trust in the organising powers of the KNVB. This event will contribute enormously to the development of football for players with a disability."

Scottish delight
Meanwhile, the 2010 European Championship will take place in Glasgow at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre. To be held from 15 August to 29 August, the tournament will feature ten countries including Russia, Ukraine, England and hosts Scotland. Scottish FA Chief Executive Gordon Smith said: "We are all delighted that we have been awarded this tournament. It is an endorsement of our growing reputation in CP Football, but also recognition of Glasgow's excellence in hosting football events."

Four-year plan
UEFA's funding to the CPISRA is being used as part of a four-year development plan to allow the production of DVDs, coaching and educational materials, to run workshops and to provide developmental opportunities specifically targeting countries with little or no development programmes currently in place.

To find out more click here for the CPISRA website.

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