‘Disability shouldn’t stand in the way of sport’ – Trailblazer Brian to be TV star

A Doncaster youngster who has been described as a trailblazer for disabled sport is set to make a star appearance on CBBC football show Can You Kick It.
Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott.Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott.
Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott.

Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott, aged 12, will appear in the latest series of the football-based gameshow, which began on Saturday.

Bryan was born with right-sided hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that means he has less control of muscle movements on one half of his body.

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Nevertheless, he has gone on to play for cerebral palsy specific football for a team in Manchester and one day hopes to play for the cerebral palsy national team, CP England.

Bryan’s dad - also Bryan - said that his son got in touch with the show to encourage other children with the condition to play football.

He said: “We contacted the show not sure what they would say as in previous seasons the level of children taking part was extremely high.

“But we received an email from the producer of the show who thought the idea was great and Bryan was invited to the Manchester trials where he took part in the filming.

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“The CBBC team even visited him at the training ground in Manchester to get more information on him and add to the show.”

Bryan’s dad said that when he was younger, his son initially found it difficult to find regular mainstream football due to his disability, but eventually found a team where he could be involved.

He was later selected for England’s cerebral palsy junior squad at the age of nine - and now plays for CP United - travelling three and a half hours every Saturday to be involved in the game he loves.

The youngster is also heavily involved in raising awareness for disability football such as school fundraising days, media appearances on radio and television and has even been featured in a mainstream children’s football magazine.

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Bryan’s dad added: “Like most young boys he really enjoys his football but his journey has been a little different than most.

“He just wants to prove that no disability should stand in the way of you enjoying your favourite sport.”

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