'Being able to play football again is just amazing'

Maisie Lillywhite,Gloucestershireand
Nicky Price,Gloucestershire
BBC Two teenage boys with frame mobility aids stand next to each other in an indoor sports hall. They are both smiling and wearing football kits, and both have a green and white football at their feet. The boy on the left has dark hair and is giving a thumbs up, while the boy on the right has dark blond hair.BBC
Jake (left) and Harley (right) play frame football together at Holmleigh Park Sports Centre in Tuffley, Gloucester, but are looking for more people to join them

A teenager who began playing frame football after an osteosarcoma diagnosis says being able to play the sport again is "just amazing".

Harley was 12 when he was diagnosed, and was left partially paralysed after surgery but was not suited to amputee or powerchair football.

Now 15, Harley is encouraging others with similar disabilities to join a team set up by his mum, Donna and play regularly at Holmleigh Park Sports Centre in Tuffley, Gloucester.

"We're very lucky in that we've got some great funding from Sport England, funded by National Lottery; we've got the sports hall paid for so there's no cost to our participants," Donna said.

Donna is a coach for Quedgeley Wanderers, and first became aware of frame football after seeing a poster at Bristol Children's Hospital, while visiting with Harley.

The team in Bristol allowed Harley to come along, but Donna had the idea to set one up back home in Gloucester.

With the help of Quedgeley Wanderers, she was able to secure funding for the sessions, but she said she is "struggling to find more young people who want to play the sport".

"We have the sports hall but we need more players"

Harley has been playing frame football for two years.

"At first, it felt a bit odd and strange because I just used to play normally but once I got used to being in the frame, it got so much easier," Harley said.

"I've been playing since I was five and to bring [my skills] into this has been a massive help."

A female football coach works with two teenage boys using mobility frames as they play football in an indoor sports hall.
Donna says participants do not have to pay, thanks to Sport England funding

Harley said it is nice to play the sport with Jake but it can be "a bit boring" when it is just the two of them, so he wants more people to get involved.

Martine, Jake's mum, said the sessions are great for Jake to not only play football, but be part of something.

"The fact he's able to come along and be treated as a team member, have a nice football kit, have the chance to take part in a tournament is amazing for Jake," she said.

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