CP Sport collected a range of profiles from people with CP that participate in sport, as well as profiles from coaches, physiotherapists and parents of players to use as promotional material during the #CPAwarenessMonth. We aim to encourage more people with CP to take part in sport by sharing positive stories and delivering opportunities.
Name: Barney Corrall
Role: Athlete
Role: Athlete
Club: Charnwood AC and on the British Athletics Futures Programme
About me: I am 22 and have right sided hemiplegia due to a stroke at birth. I have been competing as a T37 long jumper and sprinter since 2017 having previously been involved in the England CP football pathway. In 2019 I became the long jump junior world champion, it was an incredible moment in my life. I have represented Britain at the European Championships in Poland and I’m very proud to be on my second year of the British Athletics Futures programme. I am determined to realise my dream of competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. I attend Loughborough College and train at the University 5 mornings a week, I am very lucky to have access to great facilities, I am also coached by Aston Moore.
How I have benefitted from playing sport: Sport has changed my life dramatically. I started playing in the CP Sport football competitions when I was about 9, I loved these events as it gave me an opportunity to meet other people who looked like me and I made some great friends. Being selected for the England CP football Pathway gave me a huge amount of confidence, and definitely made me a very competitive. When I moved onto athletics this experience really helped me. Physically and mentally sport has had a huge impact on me, it helps with my CP as I’m doing my daily physio in a very enjoyable way!
What would you say to others with CP about playing sport: Definitely try it out, and try different sports. It is a great way to meet people who understand what its like to have CP and make new friends, You really never know what opportunities sport can lead to and it really can change your life.
The impact sport has had on my life: Sport has given me so much confidence and has definitely improved my self esteem. It has given me a sense of purpose and I feel incredibly proud of my achievements so far.
My ambitions in sport: To be a Paralympian. I would like to achieve as much as I can at the highest level and eventually I hope to make a career within sport.
Which other sports I would like to try given the opportunity: At the moment I am concentrating on my athletics, but who knows what opportunities there could be in the future.
If you are interested in pursuing opportunities in CP Sport – please check out our events page, or message us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.