FA recognise Paul's passion for the game as Britain's first blind coach
Paul Matheson, 51, from Newcastle has become the first blind person in Britain to be recognised by The FA as a qualified assistant football coach.
Paul, a Newcastle United fan, who lost his sight 10 years ago due to glaucoma, has achieved the accolade of Britain's first blind football coach. After taking part in a number of visually impaired coaching sessions with the Newcastle United Foundation and the Henshaws Society for Blind People.
Paul, a season ticket holder who attended his first Newcastle game at the age of five, said:
“When I lost my sight, I just stopped playing football. You just don’t imagine that’s something you can still do and I felt as though I’d lost a huge part of my enjoyment of life.”
Then, late in 2012, after a chance meeting with Philipa Taylor of Henshaws Society who sold him the idea of blind football, he was able to re-kindle his passion for the game. On returning to the pitch, Paul said:
“When I first started to play my coordination wasn’t great. I was quite hesitant and would stand around waiting for the ball to come to me. It took a few weeks to adapt but then my confidence increased and I was soon able to run after the ball.”
Philippa, Community Services Development Officer at Henshaws Society, added:
“I have been totally blown away by Paul’s football skills, his mobility and independence. He never ceases to amaze me in what he can do.”
With the award under his belt, Paul has now decided to give back to the community, volunteering to coach children and adults on Wednesday evenings at the Walker Activity Dome in the hope of passing on his love for the game to others.
The 51-year-old is now aiming to take on coaching full-time and pursue further qualifications from the FA such as the disability football badge, visually impaired badge and eventually, the level two coaching qualification.
