FFC Hosts Down's Syndrome Tournament

Down’s syndrome football teams from across London will come together at the Fulham FC Training Ground to launch Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week on Sunday 14th March at 11am.

The tournament will bring together the four London-based DSActive teams: Fulham Badgers, QPR Tiger Cubs, Charlton Upbeats and West Ham United DS Team. Unlike traditional tournaments, the main focus is not on winning or losing, but just taking part.

To kick-off the festivities, coaches from each of the Clubs involved will engage the players in coaching sessions to help them learn new skills and techniques. The football coaches have learned on the job through the help of the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) and sharing their experiences since there is no formal training available to coaches. Side by side the players and coaches will learn new skills and delivery methods together.

The seven-a-side tournament will officially kick-off at 1pm, with each game being modified to fit the needs of those with Down’s syndrome and will be ten minutes in length with ten minute breaks.

DSA parent member and patron Kevin Kilbane offers his support:

“It is great to see all of the football clubs coming together in support of Down’s syndrome.” Kevin further explained, “This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for the players to showcase their skills. Having had the privilege of experiencing a couple DSActive training sessions, I know the tournament will be a success and an excellent opportunity to highlight to the outside world their true ability.”

Steven Day, Chief Executive of the Fulham Football Club Foundation, said:

“I am delighted that Fulham Football Club is able to host the first ever Down's Syndrome Football Tournament. This tournament marks the continuation of the fantastic work carried out by Fulham FC Foundation in collaboration with the Down's Syndrome Association since June 2006 and, more recently, with some other London clubs. The Foundation's ethos is to help build better lives through sport and the tournament is a perfect example of a number of partners working together to help achieve this."