A SOCCER mad teenager from Ashburton has a burning ambition to play for England in the Paralympics in Brazil in four years' time, writes John Balment.

That dream could easily become reality for 15-year-old Alex Woodgates, who was selected for the Cerebral Palsy Emerging Talent camp at the Football Association's St George's Park Centre, Burton on Trent recently.

Alex, who attends South Dartmoor Community College, caught the eye of selectors as clearly very talented when playing at the Lilleshall Sports Centre in the National Finals at the end of last season.

His name was put forward and he was selected for the Cerebral Palsy Emerging Talent camp and is now in the Next Step England Development Squad.

Alex, of Balland Park, whose cerebral palsy affects one side of his body, is a left back and for more than two years played for South Brent and is now with the South West Centre of Excellence for Cerebral Palsy in Taunton.

He plays for the centre every Saturday when mum and dad Elaine Perkins and Colin Woodgates take him to the matches.

Now Alex – pictured right in his England strip – is looking for help with sponsorship from businesses or individuals, who can contact Elaine on 07854 416 418.

The centre itself has been running for three years and although backed by the FA, is also in need of sponsorship.

It covers an area from Gloucester to Penzance.

Players who would like to be considered to play for the centre should, like any potential sponsors, contact assistant manager Graham Eyles on 07894 584878 or by emailing eyles19@hotmail.

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