Fulham Badgers Play in First London Wide Tournament

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Games Launch Down's Syndrome Awareness Week

Fulham FC will launch Down's Syndrome Awareness Week on Sunday March 13 by hosting the first ever Down's Syndrome Football Tournament at its training ground in New Malden.

The tournament brings together the four London-based DSActive teams -  our local Fulham Badgers, QPR Tiger Cubs, Charlton Upbeats and West Ham United DS Team.

Unlike traditional tournaments, the main focus on Sunday 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 seven-a-side tournament will officially kick-off at 1pm, with each game being modified to fit the needs of the players and will be ten minutes in length with ten minute breaks.

DSA parent member and patron Kevin Kilbane says: " It is great to see all of the football clubs coming together in support of Down’s syndrome.

" 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, says: " 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."

The Fulham Badgers Down’s Syndrome football team, established by the Fulham FC Foundation has been running for four years and is designed to give young people with Down’s Syndrome the opportunity to play football and be part of a team environment.

March 12, 2010