Cheltenham teenager becomes Britain's first wheelchair user football referee
Football-mad Nathan Mattick from Cheltenham has become Britain's first wheelchair user referee.
Nathan, who has Cerebral Palsy, has realised his dream of becoming a football referee. The 19 year old, who attends the specialist National Star College in Cheltenham, always had a passion for football and has built up his confidence before taking his professional referee qualifications with Gloucestershire Football Association.
Nathan said:
"I contacted my local FA and they came back saying it was absolutely no problem, they said to do a course and that would qualify me for small-sided football refereeing."
He now regularly takes charge of games for both non-disabled and disabled players, on hard all-weather surfaces, which suits him in his Powered wheelchair.
He said:
"I was so nervous the first time I refereed at a game. I thought the players and managers would give me a hard time because I was in a chair and they would question why I was refereeing able-bodied football. But I had no problems. People with disabilities can do what able-bodied people do. We just do it in a different way. I have cerebral palsy but that doesn't mean I can't do things."
His message to others is clear. He continued:
"It's important you respect every single person whether they have a disability or not. We can all contribute to this world. You occasionally get the nasty words but you just get on with it really."
Nathan referees 'small-sided' games varying from five to nine-a-side as well as the Disability League.
Steve Tanner, Referee Development Officer for Gloucestershire Football Association praised Nathan's skills. He said:
"The Gloucestershire FA is delighted to be able to support Nathan in achieving his dream of refereeing. Nathan is the first wheelchair user who officiates in Gloucestershire and his commitment towards developing his skills is clearly evident."
Nathan hopes this is the start of a career for him, as he looks to work with young people in the sports industry.
