Sophie has always enjoyed sport, but because of her epilepsy and learning disorders it has not been easy for her to fit in clubs and teams, because they did not seem to have the understanding of a disability in the sport.
During her training, she always wanted to be part of a team and sports, but the school she visited did not seem to facilitate or understand the benefit of exercising disabilities.
On many occasions she would bullied herself during her school years because other students did not understand her epilepsy or learning disorder.
Because of bullying and dealing with her epilepsy and learning disabilities, she has suffered from psychological problems.
Two years ago Richard Gill van Harleston Magpies started in 2023 that Flyerz started. Sophie was one of the founders together with Ellie and Lydia.
During some sessions in the beginning, Sophie would be the only flyer who was present, she was always enthusiastic, and even with only one participant, Flyerz would continue.
She attended 3 Flyerzfests, Lee Valley, Tunbridge Wells and New Malden and enjoyed them all, especially a medal.
The impact that Flyerz had on Sophie has been huge.
In the beginning the pleasure was clear when Sophie enjoyed appearing for every session. Richard then awarded the three girls T-shirts with individual numbers. Sophie is number 5. Then they were invited to the Biannual Ball of the Magpies. All these events were the first for Sophie. Her confidence started to grow in hockey.
Still good and bad days with epilepsy and dealing with daily life, hockey was the only constant in our lives. Back for every session and event, regardless of the weather, was great, but to see that her trust structure was brilliant.
Then she was invited to an Award evening and without the knowledge of us won ‘The Flyer of the Year’. A new trophy from Magpies, because she attended each session from the start. We thought winning this trophy was the icing on the cake!
How many Flyerz had done for Sophie until this moment was great. And Flyerz in Harleston grew with new people who came by and hockey.
Then England called hockey about the Special Olympics and a dream started to manifest itself in Sophie. Filling in forms and meeting the criteria was in some respects a double transmission sword. Meeting the criteria strengthens that Sophie’s LD was of a level that she would not be in mainstream and most of her dreams would certainly not be fulfilled.
For Sophie, her dream to perhaps have been realized at the Olympic Games one day and more confidence was grown.
Another chance to build more confidence was when she was selected to be a mascot for the professional hockey team of the English English England in the Lee Valley Stadium. This was again due to Flyerz.
Then England announced Hockey by a Flyerzfest that there would be training and hopefully selection at Bisham Abbey to play for England in the Euro Hockey Championships in Germany. Another incredible moment.
With someone who has an LD, however, you have to explain that although they train, this does not mean that they have been selected. This is where learning disorders can be difficult. Their understanding. But as we have always said to Sophie, you go and see where it leads to and with hockey that has certainly been the case.
Sophie was selected to play for England and the smile on her face said it all. The pride we felt on the news was felt. We could not believe that Flyerz, just 2 years ago in August 2023, held his first session at Harleston Magpies.
A year ago, Sophie was in a very dark place with psychological problems as a result of medicines prescribed for her epilepsy, and now she was selected in August 2025 to play for England.
When we see her walking in the English kit, playing for our country in Germany was incredible, our hearts are bursting of pride.
But there was so much more for us; This was Sophie’s first time he flew without us, staying in another hotel without us, making new and good friends who need each other, experienced events that she would never have done before.
Without a flyerz all the above would not have happened and if I am honest, I am not sure where we would be like a family, but what I know is that when Sophie was selected for England, I thought her smile couldn’t get bigger until she won the silver medal of their group, her face said it.
So if someone thinks about going at Flyerz, Sophie would certainly say yes, give it a try! And us.
I would say it is only 1 and 1/2 hours around the other Sunday, give it a try. It can change their lives, but it can also change yours as a family or caregiver.
As parents we cannot thank Flyerz and England Hockey enough.
(From the perspective of Sophie’s mother)
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