Pontefract Pirate Kyle Hill has been selected to represent the Great Britain team at the forthcoming Learning Difficulties European Championships.

It is the second consecutive year that the Pontefract team will be represented in the Euros, after Gary Hope’s success in 2010. Gary was selected for the squad in 2010, and played in the finals, picking up a Bronze medal after the team achieved a highly creditable third place. However, Kyle Hill is hoping to do even better, and come back with a winner’s medal.

The finals, which are being hosted in Geneva, Switzerland, for the second successive year, will take place in June 2011, between sides from all over Europe.

Kyle attended the national trials, which were held in on February 13^th at Warwick University. Club colleagues Steve Gaux-Rogers, Lee Percival and Gary Kirk were also selected for the trials, but just missed on out selection for the national team after strong performances. Coach Jamie Waddington also represented the Pirates at the national trials, running a training session for triallists from all over Britain.

The Pontefract Pirates is Pontefract Collieries’ section for people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, and was the brainchild of Gary Smith and Trevor Waddington. Run under the Colls umbrella, the Pirates have been at the forefront of learning difficulties football for several years, playing in the West Riding County FA Disability League, of which Trevor Waddington was a major driving force behind the establishment, and is the Vice Chairman. The league, which was the first of its kind in this country, is going from strength to strength, currently involving over 40 teams.

During the four years since their launch, the Pirates have achieved many successes, picking up several winner’s medals along the way. Five Pontefract players won medals at the 2009 Special Olympics, with Gary Hope’s success of 2010 putting the final flourish on a successful year for the team. The club have developed close links with Huddersfield Town, who regularly host the Pirates players – last month over 60 Pirates enjoyed match-day hospitality at The Terriers.

The club runs regular coaching and training sessions for people of all ages ranging from 6 to 60, and regularly enters teams into competitive tournaments, as well as the county league. With a recently-established junior section for youngsters with Down Syndrome, the Pirates are continuing to flourish. The club are justifiably delighted with Kyle Hill’s success.