Local Footballer receives Disability Sportsperson of the Year Award from the Hinckley & Bosworth Local Sports Alliance. Thomas Smith, is a very keen local footballer and plays for Aylestone Park Inclusive Football Club, representative football for the Leicestershire & Rutland Pan Disability Squad and also represented the East Midlands in the Special Olympics Football Competition last summer. Graeme Chilvers, representing the Hinckley and Bosworth Local Sports Alliance came along to watch Thomas in action during a training session for the representative squad and present his award in front of his team mates, see photographs of the training session and award presentation.
Thomas has a learning disability and also had problems with his motor skills, but through sheer hard work, determination and very supportive parents, Thomas has achieved great heights within the field of disability football and his own personal development. Thomas sure lives up to his Number 1 status, with Goalkeeping being his favorite position, where he demonstrates a great talent, Thomas also likes to try out his outfield skills during Club and College matches. Thomas and his team mates played brilliantly at the Special Olympics to win a Silver Medal against a very strong Scottish Team.
Thomas represents Leicestershire and Rutland in the East Midlands Pan Disability League and competes at a regional and national level for this squad. Thomas plays in the Championship Squad which won through to the FA National Ability Counts Finals on three occasions, playing at the David Beckham Academy in London.
Thomas aspires to be a coach as well as a player and assists the FA Tesco Skills Team at the skills Centre at Judgemeadow Community College. Thomas has also helped out the U8’s team at Aylestone Park and is currently undertaking a leadership course with Leicestershire and Rutland Sport.
Amongst Thomas’s other fantastic achievements are being awarded the very prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award at St. James’ Palace by the Duke of Edinburgh and also receiving a Volunteer Award for his contribution as a volunteer at Aylestone Park FC and also assisting Community Coaches, Paul Gibson and Wayne Gudgeon.
Thomas is also a season ticket holder at Leicester City and cheers his team on every week and he is hoping that City get into the play-offs this season.
With the support of his family and taking part in our ‘ beautiful game of football’ Thomas shows us what can be achieved and the part football can play, in the development of life, physical and social skills.