This week saw the launch of the Premier League and BT’s Disability Sport initiative, a three-year programme to create opportunities for young people and adults with disabilities of all kinds to engage in sport. Mr Smith travelled down to London with a group from New Bridge for the event which was held at the Olympic Stadium, now West Ham United’s football ground..

Thanks to the Premier League’s hospitality, our excited party were treated to a night at the 4 star Novotel facing the O2 arena before arriving at the Olympic Stadium..

We were able to go pitch side and experience what it is like to be a footballer for a day!!

Our young people got to meet professional Premier League referees and ask them questions about their role in football and if they enjoyed refereeing. Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves and Ledley King were also present at the event, it certainly was a trip to remember!

We didn’t travel all the way to London just to look at the stadium, though – we went there to play Crystal Palace at power chair football! The game was refereed by a Barclays Premier League official referee who has refereed FA cup finals and big premier league games like Manchester City and Manchester United. The players from New Bridge had to help him though, as the wheelchair football was all new to him..

It was a fantastic game with lots of goals and the score finished MCFC 5 – 5 Crystal Palace..

We have to say that one of the highlights had to be Nathan, a big Arsenal fan, wearing a Manchester City football top sitting on the West Ham United’s bench..  🙂

All our young people had a fantastic time and we would like to say a massive thank you to Paul Kelly and City in the Community for giving our New Bridge players this incredible opportunity. We are also very grateful to all the parents who came and supported on the trip, it was a truly unforgettable experience!