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A teenager with a rare muscle disease competed in an all-female powerchair football festival last weekend.
Abbie Bolt, from Minster, on Sheppey, headed to Hertfordshire on Saturday for the game, which was the first of its kind.
Powerchair football is a sport specially designed for people with disabilities who use power wheelchairs to manoeuvre and kick an oversized football.
The 16-year-old, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), started playing five years ago after she saw a poster at Bobbing-based Demelza Hospice Care for Children, where she gets respite care.
Abbie was diagnosed with SMA when she was two years old. The former Westlands School pupil has since battled with the incurable muscle-weakening condition and is a full-time wheelchair user – but she hasn’t let that hold her back.
She is now the player rep for Sevenoaks powerchair Football Club, for which she has played for two years.
Abbie’s mum, Mel, said: “She loves being part of the team and the travel that comes with games in the regional, championship or even premierships – but the biggest thing is being able to meet new people from all over the UK."
The 34-year-old added: “For me and Abbie’s brother, Bradley, it’s nice to be welcomed into the football club and become part of the family at Sevenoaks PFC.”
A grant from Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) helped towards Abbie’s fast Powerforce electric chair, which she has now had for about a-year-and-a-half.
Last weekend’s football festival was a joint initiative by the charity, the Wheelchair Football Association and the Football Association. It was open to players of every age and ability, from all over the country.
Ryan Sipple, MDUK’s sport development officer, said it was great to champion Abbie and all the other female players, coaches and officials within powerchair football, adding: “We hope these festivals help address the gender imbalance by introducing it to new individuals to the sport.”
Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey
