2009/2010

 

Football coach from Watford helping disabled kids get into the game

A football coach has teamed up with a Watford football club to help children with disabilities get into the game.

George Akhtar, from Prince Street, runs his own coaching business, 1st Touch, which sees him visit schools and host training sessions for young players in west Hertfordshire and north-west London.

After playing for Sun Postal Sports and Social Club last season, he was asked to help organise sessions for disabled children at the club, in Bellmount Wood Avenue.

Twelve kids, some with autism, learning difficulties and behavioural problems, have now signed up for the weekly sessions, which began on Saturday, February 6, and will run for a further eight weeks.

George, 27, said: “The kids are so enthusiastic. You can see the smiles on their faces and they appreciate what you do.”

A midfielder, George has represented Pakistan 16 times and played professionally in Ireland and Romania.

But when he was unable to find a new club in England, he settled in Watford, where he grew up, and began coaching.

“Coaching was the next transitional stage after my professional career ended,” he said. “I still love football. That's why I still play for Leverstock Green.

“I love working with children. I love seeing how they progress. Through 1st Touch I've got one lad at Chelsea, another at Leyton Orient, one at Arsenal and two at Spurs, aged seven to ten.

Following a funding grant from the Active Watford sports partnership, George has visited and spoken to a number of schools across the area, looking for players to join the new Saturday morning training sessions with a view to creating a team for disabled children in the future.

He said: “The first session was amazing. I was very excited. Just getting that positive feedback at the end of the sessions was great. It went really well.

“The more children we can get involved, it will only be a positive thing.”

Sun Postal was keen to host the sessions as it bids for FA Community Club status.

A club representative said: “We're really excited to be awarded this money and we're looking to develop the sessions with the aim of creating a team. Anyone who wants to get involved can come down and see us.”

The sessions take place at Sun Postal Sports and Social Club, in Bellmount Wood Drive, Watford, between 10.30am and 11.30am on Saturdays.