Paul Jubb: BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero
Bradford Disability Football Club’s Paul Jubb says it’s an amazing feeling for the club to receive recognition, with the head coach collecting the BBC Sport Unsung Hero award for Yorkshire.
Jubb started the team, which is a partner of Bradford City Community Foundation, in 2001 with only 10 players, but he now works with 150 members of varying ages and disabilities.
He was nominated for the award by Steve Parr, a volunteer and father of one of the players, and Jubb says it was an ‘amazing feeling’.
鈥淚 went to the live show at the BBC [Look North Yorkshire] as they told me I was one of four nominees, but I鈥檇 actually won it,鈥 he told football-league.co.uk.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more about recognition for the the disability club than myself. I like to raise the profile; with the hope of getting more sponsors, volunteers and players. But obviously it鈥檚 nice to be recognised for what you do.
鈥淭he best thing about the programme we run is that the players get to build their self-confidence, make friends, and they all love being involved with Bradford City – it鈥檚 their lives, just like it is mine.
鈥淔ootball is a great way of socialising and being part of a group with a sense of identity. We just completed a register and we鈥檝e now got 150 members.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to perhaps increase our facilities and put on some extra sessions in the evenings and at the weekends. We never turn anybody away, whatever their disability or age, and want to keep growing.鈥
Now in its 13th year, the BBC Sport Get Inspired Unsung Hero award celebrates people from around the UK who volunteer their time and effort in encouraging the talents of others, and whose work enables local clubs and groups to thrive and flourish.
A winner was chosen in each of the BBC’s 15 nations and English regions, with those men and women joining sporting icons at the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in Belfast on Sunday, where an overall winner will be revealed.
Ian Ormondroyd, Bradford City Community Foundation manager, reserved praise for head coach Jubb and believes Bradford City are proud of their disability club.
He said: 鈥淭he players come to the club and feel welcomed, and are able to enjoy themselves, being part of a group that鈥檚 very inclusive and very friendly. All the parents get on and the atmosphere is brilliant.
鈥淭hey play in a disability league but it鈥檚 more than just football as they go away on trips all the time. In all, they get to do all the things a normal footballer would – probably more, in fact!
鈥淭he players get to go on the pitch at half-time at Valley Parade two or three times a year, and the fans like that.
鈥淚nstead of going to get a pie or a pint, supporters tend to stay out and watch the disability club on the pitch, cheering them on. That鈥檚 very encouraging for the players – they have a great time.
鈥淚t would be great for Paul to win the overall award, but it鈥檚 not the be-all and end-all. It鈥檚 not about winning – the fact he has been nominated and the club has been recognised is fantastic.鈥