The Irish FA Foundation is hoping to discover fresh talent for the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy squad later this month.
The foundation is staging an open trial in east Belfast on Sunday 25 June – and successful trialists could ultimately be on a plane to Argentina in September to represent Northern Ireland in this year’s Cerebral Palsy World Cup.
Males born on or before 6 September 2002 with cerebral palsy, or who have acquired a brain injury resulting in physical impairment or who have had a stroke in the past, qualify to play CP football.
The trial for the international CP squad will run between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on 25 June on the 3G pitch at the Hanwood Centre, Kinross Avenue, Tullycarnet. Players must be able to run unaided.
The Northern Ireland CP team’s head coach, Alan Crooks, said: “By staging an open trial we are hoping to unearth a few gems who have not previously been brought to our attention.
“This marks the start of our preparations for this year’s World Cup. We will be choosing our squad soon after the trial so that we can really get down to work to ready ourselves for the global tournament.”
The International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) is staging the 2017 World Championships in San Luis, Argentina, from 4-24 September.
Anyone interested in taking part in the open trial should contact Alan Crooks at acrooks@irishfa.com
