Mickey Demetriou pops along to first session
rTo book a child onto the Down's Syndrome football sessions, contact Shrewsbury Town Community Sports Trust by phoning 01743 289177 or by emailing communitysportstrust@shrewsburytown.co.uk“This our 32nd football team that we have set up with Community Trusts in the country.
“We’d like to set up local fixtures and various other team bonding sessions.
“It’s a good chance for them to not only play football but to make new friends."
DSActive sports officer Matt Maguire said:
The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) has been a key partner in making this project work. The DSA is the only organisation in the UK solely dedicated to living successfully with Down’s Syndrome (DS) with an aim of helping people with Down’s syndrome live a full and rewarding life.
Approximately 85 per cent of people with Down’s syndrome attend mainstream school. Having the ability to train and play at a similar level increases their ability to reap all of the potential benefits.
While participants are learning physical skills, they are simultaneously increasing their own social and emotional abilities.
Through football, the project aims to create a multi-tier learning environment that will improve the participants’ overall physical, social and emotional health.
Sessions are in conjunction with DSActive. The essence of DSActive is to provide children and young people with Down’s syndrome more opportunities to play sport in a comfortable and competitive environment.
“It was brilliant to be a part of the session and I am thankful for being asked.
“All of the children had a smile on their faces which is what counts.
“It was a good first session and hopefully word will now spread and they will be able to go away and tell their friends about the sessions.” Town defender Demetriou said:
“The launch session of Downs Syndrome football was a great event for all.
“The kids had a smile on their face from start to finish.
“I would like to thank Mickey (Demetriou) for coming down and joining in with the session, and also Scott and Matt from Down Syndrome Active for coming to see the launch session as they have been integral to the Community Sports Trust in supporting this new initiative.” Shrewsbury Town Community Sports Trust’s health and inclusion officer, Aiden Wassell, said:
The Down’s Syndrome sessions will take place at Shrewsbury Sports Village from 5.30-6.30pm every Tuesday.
Eight children attended the first session at Shrewsbury Sports Village, and they were also given a surprise as Shrewsbury Town defender Mickey Demetriou popped along to join in the fun.
Shrewsbury Town Community Sports Trust were delighted to launch the first of many Down’s Syndrome football sessions on Tuesday.