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Blog: As a person, I think I've grown up since starting to play hockey

The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.

In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week it’s H for Hockey, and Shane Crowe discusses rediscovering the sport and helping to coach others.

Shane’s blog:

I’m 21 now, but was 17 when I joined Forest Flyerz, the disability section of Waltham Forest Hockey Club in London.

I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. I think it's good to tell people about my conditions, so more people know about disabilities, especially those like ADHD.

I first learned of Forest Flyerz when I came across a leaflet and I thought it looked interesting. I'd played a bit of hockey at school and wanted to try it again.

I started training and playing at Flyerz and actually appeared in our first ever match. I also went to Holland as part of the first ever English disability team to play in a tournament in that country.

Coaching has always been something I’ve had a passion for. I already had my Level 1 Sports Coach award but I wanted to get a hockey qualification too. After two years of playing the club helped me gain my Level 1 Hockey Coach certificate.

I also started playing for one of Waltham Forest Hockey Club's men's teams. I did some umpiring and coached some university teams outside of the club. I think I became a bit of a role model…

As I coach, I enjoy passing on knowledge to the next generation. They might not get it right first time but they keep trying. Some may lose their temper, but then we help them calm down and they try again and together we achieve the task.

Hockey, Forest Flyerz, all inclusive sports really give disabled people somewhere to go and something to do, so they are not stuck indoors. You can be active and meet other, new people. It also helps if coaches learn about disability and different health conditions, as some might not have much existing knowledge.

As a person, I think I've grown up since joining Flyerz. At first I used to show off and run rings round everyone but now… well, I still do that a bit! But I've learned how to help others to do things.

Read more in the A-Z blog series here.   Forest Flyerz is a part of Waltham Forest Hockey Club. Flyerz hockey has become a really positive term for disability hockey in England. For more on Flyerz, visit the relevant section on the England Hockey website.