Bexhill Learning Disability Football Team Goes From Strength To Strength
A football team, supported by Brighton & Hove Albion, representing a secure residential centre for people with learning difficulties is going from strength to strength.
The Langford Tigers football team represents specialist care provider Glen Care’s Langford Centre in De Le Warr Road, in Bexhill on Sea, Sussex. It is made up of men aged 18 to 40 who have learning difficulties and mental disabilities including anger management problems.
The team, who benefit from expert coaching delivered by Philip Broom from Albion in the Community, this weekend (22nd March 2014) proudly won the Championship Division of the League Sussex County Disability League with a 100% win record. They have progressed over the last 5 seasons to become a successful and very professional side.
Philip has also worked with patients to deliver courses leading to NCFE Level 1 Awards in Exercise Studies.
Albion in the Community uses the power of football and the reach of Brighton & Hove Albion to deliver projects in the areas of health, education, disability and social inclusion all underpinned by our core themes – increasing participation, creating opportunities, tackling inequalities and improving health.
Vanessa Ling, hospital director at the Langford Centre, said: “Albion in the Community is a fantastic initiative, which has been instrumental in the Langford Tigers since the very beginning.
“The players have definitely become better able to cope with their conditions as a result of taking up the sport. Playing in a team, needing to play for each other, playing within the rules and meeting other teams has been incredibly beneficial for the patients. They are much more disciplined and interactive. Their anger management is incredibly improved. It’s made them all very much better people.
“The team members say the Langford Tigers is the best thing that has happened to them; that it’s really helped them. They have much more self confidence and pride.
“We are all very proud of the team and their achievements and there is a very loyal band of fans, friends, family and staff who regularly support them and share our pride.”
Philip Broom said: “I have been working with the Langford Tigers for more than five years and have found it very rewarding. To see the team progress each year has been fantastic and they really deserve their success.
“Sport is an excellent way of building confidence, inter-personal skills and team building and I’m very pleased that the Tigers are doing so well this season.”
Clare Nichols, Football Development Officer (Women & Girls / Disability / Respect Lead) Sussex County Football Association Ltd, congratulated the team saying: “The players and all involved with the team should be really proud with their achievement; I have seen much improvement in the way the team have played and winning the division is credit to that work.”
The Langford Centre has 50 beds in low secure and locked rehabilitation accommodation.
