On Monday 17th August lifelong disabled Liverpool fan John Smith was presented with the prestigious ‘Point of Light’ award for his services to coaching wheelchair football at the club’s charitable foundation programme.
John discovered a passion for coaching 18 months ago after playing wheelchair football on the club’s ‘Respect 4 All’ programme for 5 years. Since gaining the FA Level 1 coaching qualification, John has dedicated himself to making the game accessible for all, and takes sessions of up to 15 disabled players each week with his personality and dedication shining through on the pitch.
This dedication has led Prime Minister David Cameron to recognise his efforts with the ‘Point of Light’ award. This honour recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Cameron said, “Through his key role in Liverpool’s Respect 4 All programme, he is sharing his wheelchair football skills with others and helping to make football more accessible for disabled people. What John is doing at Liverpool is inspirational and I am delighted to recognise him as the UK’s 317th Point of Light.”
John was presented with the award on the pitch at his beloved Anfield before the Reds 1-0 victory over Bournemouth and commented, “I was absolutely delighted and humbled to find out I had received this prestigious award. I feel really privileged to be recognised for the volunteer work that I love doing. I wouldn’t be where I am today though without the support of LFC Foundation who spotted and nurtured my skills, and without the support of my parents, who taught me that I can be independent in various ways.”
(Photo: Andy Powell, Liverpool club photographer)
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