Archbishop Beck duo set to kickstart England careers

Sep 25 2007 by Tim Johnson, Liverpool Echo

Kicking off hopes of England careers

DANIELLE EVANS and Niall Fitzsimmons from Archbishop Beck PE College have both been selected for England disability development football squads.

The 14-year-old female defender, from Walton, has been to Lilleshall to train with England Ladies Deaf team that takes on Bulgaria later in the year.

Last season, Danielle was named 'Player of the Year' by her club, Everton, and was part of her school’s successful under-13 team that reached the national final."Danielle wasn't born with a hearing impairment, but she went deaf when she was 2½ after chicken pox," said mum Lisa. "She lip reads and last year learned to sign. She loves sport and is involved in swimming with Liverpool Penguins. Without any training she also won the javelin at her school."

Following a similar path to the national sports centre is 15-year-old striker Niall, who has also joined the England disability development squad.

Although he suffers from cerebral palsy, the youngster, also from Walton, plays in mainstream football with Finn Harps in the Tuebrook League. His international selection was achieved through Everton in the Community and he was part of the Blues team that took the honours at the Dirk Kuyt Foundation tournament in Holland.

His mother, Alice, said: "They told us he would never be able to play sport and he has proved everybody wrong. We are so proud of his achievements. He is even taking a BTEC Sports Course along with his GCSEs and he successfully completed a period of work experience at Everton."

Coach Steve Johnson, from Everton in the Community, is delighted at the selections. "Both play for the club’s under-16 teams. The feedback we are getting on Danielle from the England coaches is very encouraging. Niall is also doing very well and hopefully he will be part of the England set up for many years to come.

“ With 20 players selected for various disability England teams it shows that our programme is delivering."