Para Talent Football Performance Pathway
From Grassroots to the elite
One player, two journeys, Three Lions.
Have you always dreamed of playing for England? The dream is on!
We want to give more players with specific impairments the opportunity to play for our England Para teams and get them on the England Para Talent Pathway. We’re looking for those with cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairments who have the skills and a dream, to step up and play for their country.
Do you know somebody who fits the bill?
Our England Para Talent Pathway aims to find players who are ‘hidden’ in mainstream clubs, whose impairments may not be immediately obvious. We want these players to stay with their club to continue to play for their teams, as this is often the best format for a player’s continued development.
HUBS IN lincolnshire
The Talent Hub supports young footballers who have cerebral palsy, hearing impairments or are partially sighted, providing opportunities to progress from grassroots club football.
The Talent Hub will play an instrumental role in guiding the players along a clear pathway, potentially towards the elite England set-up.
FA Para Talent Hub at Lincoln City Foundation
B1 Blind Football Sessions at Lincoln City Foundation
What is it?
A format of football for anyone with an amputation or limb deficiency. In England, it’s played on a 3G pitch.
How can I get involved?
Amputee players can (and do) play mainstream, pan-disability and amputee-specific football. The England Amputee Football Association coordinate the national amputee league. There are two divisions: premiership and championship. In the premiership division, teams adhere to the International Amputee Laws of the Game. The championship division offers opportunities for all players and allows the use of prosthesis. In grassroots pan-disability and amputee-specific football, players can play with their prosthesis or without their prosthesis (on crutches). Mainstream football also allows the use of a prosthesis. If players want to use their prosthesis, it needs approving in advance. For details on how to do this, contact us.
What is it?
An adapted version of futsal and the only format of football currently included in the Paralympic Games.
Also known as B1 football or football five-a-side. Here are some key facts:
- The ball has panels with metal shards – these create noise as the ball rolls and allows players to locate it.
- Boarding along the length of the pitch keeps the ball in play and provides a reference point for players.
- Each team has three guides – one on the halfway line, one behind the goal that they’re attacking and a sighted goalkeeper.
- An uncovered playing area allows for optimum acoustics.
How can I get involved?
Blind people can safely participate in blind-specific football only. The National Blind Football League runs monthly fixtures at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. To find out more about teams in your area, contact us. The FA supports an England blind squad. International competitions for blind football are on a four-year cycle.
What is it?
This format is often referred to as ‘CP football’ or ‘football seven-a-side’. It’s played by individuals who have cerebral palsy or another neurological disorder that has resulted in physical impairment. This includes a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Until recently, CP football was one of only two formats of the game included in the Paralympics, making its last appearance in Rio 2016.
How can I get involved?
CP players can (and do) play mainstream, pan-disability and CP-specific football. The National CP Football League runs monthly fixtures, catering for a range of CP-specific teams. For more information about teams in your area, contact your county FA. The FA supports an England CP team. International competitions for CP football are on a four-year cycle.
What is it?
A very similar game to mainstream football, deaf football has both an 11-a-side and futsal format. The 11-a-side format is in the Deaflympics which take place every four years.
How can I get involved?
Deaf players can (and do) play mainstream, pan-disability and deaf-specific football. England Deaf Football coordinate the national deaf league which is 11-a-side in format and split into national, north and south divisions. Fixtures take place on a home and away basis. For more information on teams in your area, contact your county FA. The FA supports England deaf squads (male and female). European championships, world championships and the Deaflympics take place every four years.
What is it?
An adapted version of futsal, sometimes known as B2/3 football. In partially sighted football, players have some level of sight. This contrasts to blind football, where players have a small amount of light perception at best. Goalkeepers can be fully or partially sighted.
How can I get involved?
Partially sighted players can (and do) play mainstream, pan-disability and partially sighted-specific football. The national partially sighted league runs monthly fixtures. For more information about teams in your area, contact us. The FA supports an England partially sighted squad. European and world championships take place every two years.
What is it?
An indoor football format for anyone who uses a powered wheelchair or has limited movement in a manual wheelchair. Due to the limited physical contact, players of all ages and genders can play together. Chairs have a front guard, which protects the player and is used to hit the ball. Speed testing of the chairs takes place before and after each match.
How can I get involved?
It’s difficult to include wheelchair users in a pan-disability environment, especially at competition level. Powerchair-specific football offers the best pathway for wheelchair users. The Wheelchair FA charity oversees nine competitions. These include the national premiership and championship, six regional leagues and the WFA Cup. Clubs run tournaments, festivals and events outside of the formal WFA competition structure. These provide opportunities for new players to take part. To find out more about opportunities in your area, click here or contact your county FA. The FA supports an England powerchair squad. European and World championships take place every four years.