ROAR TALENT

Lioness amputees off to Colombia for World Cup challenge

- LUCY LAING

Lionesses who have already overcome much bigger challenges than football face a special test in a few weeks, and it is one they are relishing.

They are going into battle at next month's first World Amputee Football Federation Women's World Cup.

The players, aged 16 to 44, will be representing England at the 12-team tournament in Colombia, which starts on November 4.

The team, whose first match is against Peru, have already had to show their fighting spirit just to get to the event.

They had to raise £50,000 before they could enter the international competition, being held in the have city of Barranquilla.

It is also the first year that the Amputee Lionesses competed as an allfemale football team.

They previously played as a mixed-gender side.

The team is made up of players who have a variety of limb differences. While some were born without limbs, others have lost them due to illness, injury or medical conditions.

Head coach Harry Smith said: "I'm so proud of the girls. They are living the dream they never thought would happen, to represent their country.