Club invites aspiring goalkeeper to train at Thorp Arch | OneFootball

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Leeds United

·3 December 2022

Club invites aspiring goalkeeper to train at Thorp Arch

Article image:Club invites aspiring goalkeeper to train at Thorp Arch

Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Today marks International Day for Persons with Disabilities and to help celebrate the annual event Leeds United invited a special guest to train at Thorp Arch earlier this week.


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12-year-old Wayde is an aspiring goalkeeper who plays for Saxton FC in Richmond Hill and he also takes part in weekly training sessions with the Leeds United Foundation’s Premier League Kicks programme.

Wayde was born without his left forearm, but it has never stopped him from working hard and playing the sport he loves. Coaches from the club’s official charity have built a strong relationship with the inspiring youngster over the past few years, and recently they helped him and his family with a special fundraising challenge to get him a bionic arm. Although he can't play in goal with the prosthetic, he is now able to do everyday things for himself, that we often take for granted.

To help with his development and give him a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Wayde was invited up to the Leeds United training ground to watch our first-team goalkeepers train, even taking part himself with goalkeeper coach Marcos Abad putting him through his paces with a few training drills. Wayde was also able to meet the full first-team squad along with Jesse Marsch and get an exclusive insight into life as a professional footballer.

International Day of Disabled Persons is an event that is held every year to increase awareness, acceptance and understanding for those suffering with any type of disability – whilst also celebrating their achievements and their contributions in society.

The annual occasion is marked every year on the 3rd December, with the first event taking place back in 1992 to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The event has continued to grow each year, with different themes being attached to the day year on year to help raise awareness around specific barriers for people with disabilities.

The Leeds United Foundation will continue to work with disabled people every week throughout the city, offering as many opportunities as possible for people with a disability to be a part of the Leeds United family. Along with supporting various external organisations and provisions, the Foundation also have a number of their own programmes and initiatives that are inclusive and provide a pathway for those who live with a disability, children and adults, to play football and sport.

If you would like any more information surrounding the Premier League Kicks programme being delivered across Leeds, please email Richard.Foye@leedsunited.com. Or for further information on our health and wellbeing initiatives, including those for people with varying disabilities, please contact Simon.Wood@leedsunited.com.

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