An impossible dream coming true for local veteran
A sporting ‘first’ is starting right here in Telford. The official launch of Sports Officiating from a Powered Wheelchair (SOPW) takes place on Monday 26 July 2021 at St Georges Cricket Club.
The brain child of local veteran – Mr John McIntear – who, last year, raised significant funds (with the help of the Royal British Legion)and purchased a powered wheelchair enabling him to continue umpiring at local cricket matches. John now dedicates his time to encouraging other people with disabilities to follow their own sports officiating goals.
The launch starts at 6PM at St. Georges Cricket Club, St Georges, Telford with a 100-ball friendly cricket match made up of two teams of all abilities –the Pirates take on Shropshire United (which will feature some well-known personalities from BBC Radio Shropshire). The launch will be attended by Richard Overton, Deputy Leader at Telford and Wrekin Council, Mayor of the Borough of Telford and Wrekin, Lucy Allen MP and there will also be stalls attended by MacMillan Cancer Care, Lingen Davies Cancer Care, the Royal British Legion and Quantum Wheelchairs.
“An impossible dream has come true thanks to so many people who have helped me with the project. This is very much just the beginning ofthe project for us and we are looking for a national body to take this on providing bespoke support for people with disabilities to be able to train, skill-up or continue with officiating at sporting events across the country and at all levels. We simply don’t see people with a visible disability officiating at events when we watch sport on television or at local events. This is what I want to change and this is just the beginning” said John.
Councillor Chris Turley, lead on the Armed Forces Covenant for Telford and Wrekin Council commented “We are delighted this launch event is taking place and will hopefully be the catalyst for further co-operative work to further John’s dream of enabling many more people to officiate at sports events.
As a veteran, John has spent his life overcoming barriers and finding solutions and yet again we see him working hard to make change happen. This launch is about an aspirational goal but it is also hugely inspirational for people of all ages."
More information and inspiration behind this initiative can be found at https://www.sopw.org/
Launch venue is St Georges Cricket Club, St Georges, Church Street, St Georges, Telford, TF2 9LU.
