Cameron Osbourne is a Sixth Form student at Harrogate Grammar School, he has Celebral Palsy (left sided hemiplegia) but he has never let this define him. Cameron has loved playing football ever since he can remember, he joined a local football club when he was younger however, was not accepted due to his disability which stopped him playing football so he focused on his martial arts in which he now holds an adult black belt.
At 15 years old, Cameron found Cerebral Palsy football and joined the North East and Yorkshire Regional Cerebral Palsy Team. In his first season, he was selected to have trials for The England Cerebral Palsy development programme. Unfortunately, he wasn’t accepted however, it reignited his passion for football again when he realised he had the opportunity to play at a high level. Last summer his team won the National Championship.
Over the past 2 past years, Cameron recognises he has grown in confidence and ability. He is currently pushing myself to improve all aspects of his game to reach his next goal (England CP U21’s.)
At 16 years old, Cameron displayed exceptional commitment and adventure by wanting to give other young players with disabilities the opportunity to play football so he set up his own disability football club (Adversity United) for boys and girls ages 6-12 living with physical, social, behavioural or cerebral challenges.
The aim of the club is to provide supportive and fun sessions for disabled boys and girls to play the beautiful game. Encouraging them to develop skills, stretch potential and forge lasting friendships which in turn will build their confidence.
Adversity United has grown since starting in September 2017, there are currently 14 players regularly attending the sessions at Harrogate Grammar School, they’ve also had the chance to visit Harrogate Town AFC which was very exciting for the players. Currently in Year 13, he was awarded the Donald Bell Prize for Commitment and the Four Friends memorial prize for Endeavour at Harrogate Grammar School’s Celebration of Achievement Evening at the Royal Hall.
Cameron’s future aspirations are to grow Adversity United to include different age groups, to become a successful player, coach and ambassador for disability football and to help raise the profile of disability sport so others get involved. He is also the Boys Ambassador for Gambaru Adversity Awards, a charity that focuses on young people 14 to 18 who use sport to come through Adversity.
Harrogate Grammar School are incredibly proud of Cameron’s achievements and commitment to the local community. He is a Stray FM Local Hero finalist for 2018 and has also been put forward for a National Diversity Award 2018 and deserves our votes. Please vote for him on the following link for a positive role model award for setting up Adversity United. The link also contains his inspirational biography.
https://nominate.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Adveristyunited/
