Branksome teen footy star's Paralympic dream (From Bournemouth Echo)

Branksome teen footy star's Paralympic dream

11:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Jim Durkin

A YOUNG footballer who doctors said would never be able to run, has set his sights on representing Team GB at the next Paralympic Games.

Determined William Boucher, from Branksome, was thrilled to be selected to train with the England cerebral palsy football side last year.

The talented 15-year-old has since been invited back to the FA’s state-of-the-art Burton-on-Trent base to be put through his paces with England’s Emerging Talent Squad players.

William said: “I’m very proud of what I have achieved so far.

“I want to continue to work hard and to one day represent Great Britain in the GB CP football team at a future Olympic Games, maybe even Brazil 2016.

“My granddad recently passed away. He, together with the rest of my family, has always been very proud and supportive of me, so I would like to do well for them as well as myself.”

William captained the South West CP Football side to second place in the FA’s Cerebral Palsy National Cup competition during the 2011/12 season.

Dad Mark told the Daily Echo: “Both myself and William’s mum are so proud of William and what he has achieved so far.

“William suffered a brain haemorrhage at birth and was subsequently born with cerebral palsy.

“When he was a baby we were told on numerous occasions by doctors and consultants that he would probably be able to walk when he was older, but would never be able to run.

“Thankfully, William has proved them all wrong.

“William is a very inspirational and determined young man.

“We have no doubt William will work hard to achieve all his dreams.