Boy, 11, selected for England deaf football team

Sonny, who attends All Faiths Children's Academy in Rochester, has been selected for the England Deaf Football U11s team

A pupil from a Rochester school has been selected for the England Deaf Football U11s team.

Sonny, who attends All Faiths Children's Academy, had expressed his desire to become a football player to his teacher.

He wears a bone anchored hearing aid, which can make playing football harder as the wind on the pitch often blocks out the sound of his team mates.

After Sonny was selected, his teacher Beth Welstead said the school was "extremely proud of him".

Sonny is also the top scorer for his local club, Anchorians FC, and has been awarded the Golden Boot for his goal scoring exploits.

He said: "My brother got me into football. At first I just played for fun but I carried on playing.

"I play for a local team and now I've got this far in being selected for the national team, which is great."

He added it was his teachers who encouraged him to pursue his goals.

Ms Welstead said: "Sonny has got fantastic aspirations and he wants to be a footballer.

"Because he found it a bit challenging to play football when the wind blows, we thought Sonny could try out for the Deaf Football England trials."

The school said Sonny's story was one of "triumph against adversity" and highlighted the importance of inclusion in sport for young athletes living with disability.