Background

Football for athletes with Cerebral Palsy is an excellent team sport that gives athletes the opportunity to play at a higher level. The sport is made more exciting by the modification to FIFA rules: each team consists of seven players rather than 11; the playing field is smaller, there is no offside rule, throw-ins may be made with only one hand. The match consists of two halves of 30 minutes each.

The sport, away from the BT Paralympic World Cup last year, will add an exciting dimension to the competition 2012 in a city, Manchester, renowned for its Football heritage and its support for disability Football leagues.

History The first International Football competition was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1978 and the Football 7-a-side has been part of the Paralympic programme since the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games. Now you can follow this sport thanks to a regular programme of regional and international competitions organised all around the world. In recent years at least 22 countries have taken part in international competitions held and this could rise by the years. Europe is still the most popular region with at least 10 countries taking part in regular competitions.

Downloadable Education Pack

The Football 7-a-side Education Pack contains a variety of classroom and outdoor activites to help children connect with Football 7-a-side and to gain a better idea of the challenges that some players encounter on the field.

Click here to download the 2012 Football 7-a-side Education Pack

Case Studies

Our athlete case studies allow your students to learn about some of our BT Paralympic World Cup athletes. Click here to find out about our Football 7-a-side players.

Quiz

After your students have learnt all about Football 7-a-side why not try our quiz? Click here to find out more.