Smith’s sights on World Cup glory
WYLAM’S Sam Smith has already achieved European glory - but the young powerchair footballer is determined to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a world champion with England.
Sport-mad as a child, the 21-yearold was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy aged four.
Six years later he became wheelchair-bound, left wondering in what direction his life was headed.
However, having been introduced to powerchair football by his father, Northern Thunder star Smith quickly realised he could be successful on the global sporting stage - going on to make his England debut aged 17 at the 2017 World Cup in Florida.
Now entering the third year of a journalism degree at Newcastle University, Smith is focused on bettering the Three Lions’ third-place finish in America - and emulating their Nations Cup victory last year - at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney.
Smith, financially supported by a three-year partnership between GVC Holdings and SportsAid as part of GVC’s Pitching In initiative, said: “Ever since I started playing powerchair football I have wanted to be the best – the competitive edge I had as a child has never left me,.
“I was initially sceptical of the sport but I soon got used to the idea I could be as successful in a disability sport as the able-bodied equivalent.
“Making my debut for England was a very proud moment and I did it playing alongside my good friends, which made it extra special.
“While we won a bronze medal in 2017 we knew as a team we could have done better. That was fresh in our minds going into the Nations Cup in Finland, where we put in a huge amount of work and thankfully gained our just reward.
“It was a huge achievement but I was on the bench for the final so there was an element of personal disappointment attached to it.
“However, that has just made me determined to establish myself in the starting line-up for the next World Cup.”
Supported by Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, GVC announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid in 2019 to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport. The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.
Smith is itching to return to the arena is the wake of this year’s interruption of play due to the coronavirus epidemic.
He added: “I was on the vulnerable list during lockdown so I have been limited in what training have been able to do.
“However, I am raring to get back to the action as soon as possible and kick on with my World Cup dream.”