The sounds of cheers and applause echoed from Fulham FC's Motspur Park Training Ground on Sunday, 14th March as Down’s Syndrome football teams from across London came together to launch Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week.
The tournament brought together 60 DSActive players representing 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 was not on winning or losing, but just taking part.
The day commenced at 11am with circuit training focusing on passing, dribbling, hand-eye co-ordination and team development. Each area of focus was led by a different club opening the players up to new skills and techniques as well as different coaching methods.
After an awards ceremony for the younger players and lunch, the players came back to the Training Ground to engage in a tournament. Two matches were played side by side allowing all the players equal opportunities to play in the ten minute matches.
Each team played six matches. The players worked on using the techniques they used in training including ‘back heel’ and ‘trapping the ball’ as well as penalty and corner kicks. Goals were scored and goals were blocked. It didn’t matter who scored – everyone cheered.
Patricia James from the DSA said “It was fantastic, all of the clubs came together to put on this brilliant tournament. The end result was extraordinary with 60 players coming together to demonstrate what people with Down’s Syndrome can achieve – a perfect kick off to Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week.
Expanding on the DSActive programme, Patricia continued, “The DSA looks forward to continuing to development its partnerships with the participating clubs and building new DSActive teams throughout the country as we strive to provide every person with Down’s Syndrome the same opportunity as yesterday’s players.”
Steven Day, Chief Executive of the Fulham Football Club Foundation, said:
“I am delighted that Fulham Football Club hosted the first ever Down's Syndrome Football Tournament. This tournament marked the continuation of the fantastic work carried out by Fulham FC Foundation in collaboration with the Down's Syndrome Association. 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."