Latest news with #CerebralPalsyWorldCup
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Irish international among those who go to Hell and Back for ‘Little Warriors'
Shauna McGann-Hanlon, who played at the Cerebral Palsy World Cup for the Irish football team, was part of a group of about 20 people who raised funds for Little Warriors by taking on the gruelling 'Hell and Back' challenge in Kilruddery Wicklow People When an event describes itself – nay, names itself – Hell and Back, suffice to say it's not for the faint of heart. Beautiful Kilruddery Estate recently took on an altogether less-pleasant guise for a very limited time, providing the setting for a seven-kilometre course that pushes participants to their physical – and mental – limits. Steep forest climbs, muddy bog crossings, icy lake plunges, and more besides mightn't literally bring you to Hell and Back – but it's as close as you'll get until St Peter condemns you.
Belfast Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland U-21 star hails beloved brother as ‘inspiration' after miraculous recovery from life-changing accident
Birmingham City defender Tommy has been a regular in Northern Ireland's Under 21 set-up in recent years. The 20 year-old is currently on loan at Scottish Championship club Dunfermline. However, it's his older brother Charlie who first won international honours, representing Northern Ireland at the Cerebral Palsy World Cup after his first call up in 2015. In March 2012, a teenage Charlie was crossing the road on his way to the cinema when he was struck by a car that was overtaking a bus. The accident left him with a severe traumatic brain injury. The budding footballer was only able to return home after an 11-month rehabilitation programme. Kid brother Tommy explained: 'He was in the Birmingham City Academy, similar to myself. 'He suffered quite a big blow to his brain, but miraculously, he made a really good recovery. More than what people thought he would. 'I was only eight at the time so, I didn't really understand it too much. It took him about eight months to speak or walk again. Whenever someone sees him now, it's mad how well he's doing.' As well as turning out for Northern Ireland, Charlie travels the UK working as a motivational speaker. He was awarded an MBE in 2018. 'After a couple of years, he got back on his feet a little bit but because he couldn't play anymore he chose to go around clubs and deliver speeches down the motivational route,' Tommy told the Dunfermline FC website. 'I think someone must have put him forward for an MBE for that. He works for the League Football Education, a charity established by the English Football League. 'He goes round all academies, usually young scholars at different academies. He's quite well known now.' The pair both qualify to represent Northern Ireland thanks to a grandparent from Limavady. Last month, Tommy travelled to Turkey to represent the Under 21s in a four-team tournament against Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Fogarty explained: 'I always enjoy going away. The trip came at a good time for me as it allowed me to get some much needed minutes. So when I returned to Dunfermline I was fit and ready to go. 'It's also always a proud moment to play for my country, even when it's a friendly.'
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Children taught to 'never give up' by footballer
A Paralympic footballer left with brain damage after being assaulted is inspiring children to overcome adversity through PE lessons and talks. Gloucestershire's Jack Rutter was about to sign for Birmingham City in 2009 when he was attacked, and believed it was the end of his sporting career. But he later discovered cerebral palsy football, and went on to captain Team GB at the 2016 Paralympic Games. "It's really inspiring how he got back up when he got down," said Suzanna, a pupil at St Lawrence's Primary School in Westbury, Somerset. Mr Rutter received an unprovoked "single blow" punch on 22 March 2009 outside the former Liquid nightclub in Gloucester. He fell, hit his head on a kerb and was knocked out, suffering a brain bleed and moderate brain damage. He also suffered a severed cochlear nerve, meaning he will be deaf in his right ear for the rest of his life. The impact his injury had on his balance and coordination meant he was unable to continue with professional football, affecting his mental health. But the "dark, dark times" brightened when Mr Rutter discovered the cerebral palsy team. "I ended up captaining my country in a European Championship, two world championships, and I captained Great Britain in Rio in 2016 at those Paralympic Games," he said. During the talk at Westbury, Mr Rutter told the children how he was "devastated" to retire from professional football. "I was very sad and very angry because of how it happened," he said. "But you can't hold on to that sort of resentment and anger in life." Eddie, a St Lawrence's pupil, said Mr Rutter's visit was "a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a real athlete". "I absolutely loved it," Eddie said, adding that Mr Rutter taught them to "never give up and always have a positive attitude". Mr Rutter said: "I just hope that they see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, whether they mess up in a maths test, miss a penalty - they're all opportunities to learn and grow. "I'm trying to make them realise if they go through a tough challenge in life, just like I did, they can overcome it and achieve amazing things, too." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. England finish fifth as Iran win Cerebral Palsy World Cup How Traitors winner became 'proud of disability' New rules see England CP captain retire St Lawrence's C of E Primary School
