Stirling's Allstars pitch in with passion

Jul 16 2008 By Kaiya Marjoribanks

FOOTBALL is often seen as a universal sport which breaks down barriers. And one local team is helping to break down even more.

The players of Stirling City Allstars all have varying degrees of disabilities and learning difficulties.

But when they take to the football pitch they show how much they have in common with each other and everyone else, particularly in their passion for the game.

Although based in Stirling, the team, one of only a few of its kind in Scotland, also has players from Clackmannanshire and Falkirk.

The concept came together when individuals who worked with people with disabilities organised a “kickabout” last year in their own time to gauge demand.

And while things initially started slowly, word of mouth soon saw numbers continue to grow.

The youngest players are aged 18 to 21, but there are also older players in their 40s.

Dawn Jackson “caught the bug” after being asked to help out at a tournament

She said: “There are about 15 players now who are all really dedicated. Some of them have quite mild disabilities and learning difficulties but there is a wide range and we also have a wheelchair user who comes along for the training aspect and to meet other people.

“For a lot of them it has been a great way to meet new friends. Socialising is a big part of it and we also have an end of season dance and a Player of the Year award as well as fundraising events.

“At the moment it is an all male team, but eventually we would like to start up a female team as well.

“Although a lot of us work in the disability field this is not work related. We do this as volunteers and we are really proud of the guys.

“From last October it has been amazing how things have grown. It has been quite fast paced.

“It is really good how everyone has gelled together and they are a friendly bunch. There’s a lot of banter and we all have a good laugh.

“Because the team is growing we are still looking for players – and when we get more players we will of course need more coaches. It’s a case of building it up slowly but surely.

“We’ve already been involved in a few tournaments in Glasgow etc, but we are also considering entering tournaments further afield.

“Although we are recreational and for all abilities, we try to provide that competitive aspect to it as well. There are a limited number of tournaments available but the more players there are the more tournaments we can play in as some are seven-a-side and some 11-aside.

“We would also love to get main sponsors to fund the kit.”

Sandy White was one of the main instigators of the team.

He said: “I’m probably more competitive on their behalf than I was if I was playing myself.

“The club could help fund training for anyone who would like to be a coach to be put through their badges. We first advertised for coaches through Stirling University and Ali Lunn came forward.

“When it comes to training it’s very much a football team. If anyone is messing about they are told to stop and get playing. There’s no special treatment. We try to make it as normal as possible and like any other football team training and the guys like that.

“They learn quickly. At first it was just about battering the ball as hard as they could, but now there’s lots of control and they are more tactically aware. If you compare them now to when they first came along there’s a huge improvement.

“If a big game is organised they will all pick up on the better players and mimic them and everyone learns from each other.

“The real turning point for the club was a tournament last September that we entered. We were a six man team at that point in a seven man tournament so we kept borrowing players, but it was a great experience for everyone.

“We entered a tournament at the end of April. There are different bands for ability – A, B, C and D. We were in C and D and our C-team lost on penalties. But they gave it their all and did really well. There’s a lot of commitment from them.

“Forth Valley Disability Sport helped us to fund going indoors over the winter months which was great.

“We now have a constitution and membership is £10 a year for both players and non-players. That allows us to cover expenses such as insurance, but we didn’t want to ask for a ridiculous amount of money.”

Stirling City Allstars train on Mondays from 6-7.30pm at the Kings Park in Stirling and at the Scout Hall during the winter.

Anyone interested in becoming a player, or who would like to volunteer sponsorship or as a coach can telephone 07815117883 or 07922821472 or email: ajw020@hotmail.com
The team also has a website under construction at www.stirlingcityallstars.co.uk