We expect nothing but give everything
Meet 14-year-old Mackenzie. He’s passionate about football, particularly his club Bristol Rovers. Mackenzie lives with ADHD and has speech and communication needs. With his photo story, Mackenzie wants to express what he’s capable of and show others what the community and game of football mean to him.
For his volunteering section, Mackenzie helped out at a local community farm which saw him mucking out the pigs and taking goats for a walk. His choice for his Physical section was an obvious one – continuing to play football for his team, where he is the striker. For his skill, he made a special clock for his Grandad, making a Bristol Rover’s emblem and building the mechanical part of the clock. Mackenzie’s Grandad, and the rest of his family, are all Bristol Rovers fans.
Mackenzie says that DofE has helped him with communication because he’s had to talk to new people, but the best thing is that he’s learning new skills and achieving new goals and is being recognised for that.
Mackenzie has now outgrown these boots, but he picked them as they are in his favourite colour, that of his team, Bristol Rovers. His position is striker.
Mackenzie has now outgrown these boots, but he picked them as they are in his favourite colour, that of his team, Bristol Rovers. His position is striker.
Mackenzie made this clock for his Grandad at school.
Mackenzie made this clock for his Grandad at school.
He has been a season ticket holder for six years.
He has been a season ticket holder for six years.
The team slogan and nickname - the Gasheads.
The team slogan and nickname - the Gasheads.
The stadium is in memory of fallen rugby players during WW1 as before being the Rovers home it was the rugby ground.
New season, new graffiti mural at Rovers stadium. Mackenzie captures a fan entering for match day.
Getting in the mood pre-game – Mackenzie's mum, Kerry, and Nanny. They listen to a Rovers soundtrack and discuss predictions for the match that day. This season there is great expectation as Rovers have been promoted to League 1.
Pre-match, the home fans gather at their pub, The Wellington.
Mackenzie's mum, Kerry, on match day. Kerry is a key support to him, an avid Rovers fan, and has supported Mackenzie enthusiastically with this project.
Mackenzie's Nanny with her season ticket and number plate which nods to the team nickname – Gasheads.
Fans sing along to ‘Goodnight Irene’ in the pre-match build up.
Fans sing along to ‘Goodnight Irene’ in the pre-match build up.
Portrait of goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Portrait of goalkeeper James Belshaw.
A match day ritual for Mackenzie. It wouldn't be the same without a sausage roll and drink.
A match day ritual for Mackenzie. It wouldn't be the same without a sausage roll and drink.
“I want to let others know how I am feeling through my photos. I want to show others what I am capable of and to express myself as I cannot do this verbally.”
Mackenzie has made friends with Pixie and her Auntie Vikki through being at away matches together.
A match day ritual for Mackenzie. It wouldn't be the same without a sausage roll and drink.
A match day ritual for Mackenzie. It wouldn't be the same without a sausage roll and drink.
A friendly match Rovers vs Rovers at a community open day to launch the 2022 season.
A friendly match Rovers vs Rovers at a community open day to launch the 2022 season.
Portrait of goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Portrait of goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Team tactics at half time.
Team tactics at half time.
Player Antony Evans signs players t-shirts at the start of the season.
Player Antony Evans signs players t-shirts at the start of the season.
Mackenzie went along to capture the grounds behind-the-scenes in the off season. He captured the contrast to show how different it feels with the community and team there.
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