Nissan, who were the first global partner of the City Football Group, have supported CITC’s Powerchair Football sessions by purchasing eight new chairs for young people to enjoy.
The electric wheelchairs are specially adapted so that players with a high level of impairment can dribble, shoot and intercept in fast-paced, dynamic matches.
Thanks to Nissan’s donation, CITC can ensure that more participants play football on a weekly basis, especially those without a powerchair at home.
To celebrate the donation, Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte and Zack Steffen went head-to-head in a Powerchair Football match with two participants from City in the Community.
Jack Humphries, 19, has been attending the session for five years and has now progressed to a volunteer role. Commenting on the day, he said: “It’s a boyhood dream. I never thought as a disabled person I would be playing with footballers; it is an absolute dream.
“This donation ensures that everyone will have the same chance. Some players have their own chairs, but a lot of others do not, so it means they are able to still play. It also helps us to challenge at elite level.
“We cannot thank Nissan enough for their support.”
Speaking after the visit, Aymeric Laporte added: “It is very nice from Nissan to try and help these young people. I can tell they like these sessions a lot and it is great for us to be involved in the action.”
The donation forms part of the Nissan Possibilities Project, which aims to support under-represented communities and work towards a world with zero inequalities.
Nic Thomas, Marketing Director at Nissan GB, said: “It is important to keep evolving our partnership with CITC.
“We are proud to provide these much-needed new Powerchairs that enhance our commitment to the disability programme, increasing accessibility and participation in sport through the Nissan Possibilities Project which has been set up to create greater opportunities for people from under-represented communities.”
City in the Community’s Powerchair Football sessions form part of the charity’s wide-ranging One City Disability programme.
One City Disability provides opportunity for participants to take part in free football and sporting provision relevant to their specific disability.
Sessions are held in primary and secondary schools, as well as in community venues outside of lesson hours, ensuring that participants across Greater Manchester have access to disability specific provision and education.
City in the Community’s Senior Partnerships Manager, Sam Dainty, is pleased to see such impactful support from a Manchester City partner.
He said: “Disabled participants do not always feel comfortable or able to access universal provision, so it is important to provide disability specific sports for participants, with development and participation opportunities.
“To have Club partners on board with what we’re doing here at City in the Community is fantastic; they’re able to see just how impactful this work can be. Young people in Manchester are at the heart of everything we do, so it is great that our two missions align.
“Thank you, Nissan Possibilities Project.”
For more information about City in the Community, visit www.mancity.com/community/manchester.
For more information about the Nissan Possibilities Project, visit: www.nissan.co.uk/possibilitiesproject.html
