Report by Chris, from Nicholas Chamberlaine Comprehensive School in Bedworth
For over 100 years many controversial issued that have faced Britain have been solved and the scars they made are disappearing.
Women got the right to vote with the help of the suffragettes and I think attitudes toward women in the work place have changed with the ever-declining amount of sexist people. People of different ethnic backgrounds receive rights with the aid of many powerful and influential people.
Yet, now in the 21st century, the dawn of an era of a supposed "equal rights attitude" a problem still perplexes our society - the rights of disadvantaged children whom cannot find extra curricular activities outside of their own school campus.
听| 听 |  | Some of the Coventry Crusaders wheelchair team in action
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Sports is an ever-growing extra curricular activity, yet it seems that local teams seem to be more interested in allowing only able players that will bring the club glory.
Children with disadvantages such as severe epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, partial sight and autism never get the chance to play for such teams because of the risk of an accident or because they aren't as able to play as well as their competitive peers.
Does This Seem Fair?
Many children attending special schools may take the opportunity to compete in various disabled sport programs. However, these are very much centred round the school timetable. Also, the new ethos towards education of disabled children is learning towards pupils being included in the mainstream school setting.
听Football in Warwickshire
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| 听 |  | Warwickshire Warriors Disability Football Club players in action
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Imagine one of the most popular sports in the country, football, and a club that is independent from any school ties which is exclusively for children with disabilities of any disability. Does this seem likely?
Well, actually, in Warwickshire there is such a club but this is the only one in the whole of Warwickshire and its surrounding areas.
Frank Kerrigan established this club, known as Warwickshire Warriors Disability Football Club that is based in Exhall two years ago. It now has over 30 members who are travelling from the areas such as Rugby, Leamington and Kenilworth just to take advantage of this specialist club. Once again the question has to be posed:
Does This Seem Fair?
听If other clubs started then more children could take advantage of there opportunities. This is one of the main aims of the youth club that is purely run by parent volunteers and supported through various donations. Already four roadshows, which will take place over net next year, are in the process.
These are aimed at showing other areas of the country and the disabled children living in those areas how to set up there own teams.
It is true that our society has claimed that children with disabilities are the outcasts of the 21st century. And are being treated over one hundred years ago? You decide.
听Warwickshire Warriors Disability FC
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The Warwickshire Warriors Disability Football Club is open to disabled people aged 7 to 14.
They meet every saturday from 11.00am to 12.30pm at St.Giles Primary School in Bedworth.
It's a fun and friendly group providing football coaching, skills and technical development, and small sided games. It aims to improve confidence and communication.
The sessions are supervised by qualified FA coaches.
For further information contact either Frank Kerrigan on 024 7673 1159 or Simon Jones on 024 7637 6305.
They are also keen to share their experiences with parents and other local authorities who are looking to develop similar opportunities in their own area.
听Rugby Town Disability Football Club
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Rugby Town Disability Football Club now train every Saturday morning from 10-11am at Ashlawn School.
The sessions cost participants 拢1 each.
For more information telephone Hannah Buckley on 024 765 74202 or Jayne Criningan 01788 547987.
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