Swansea City AFC Foundation celebrate World Down Syndrome Day

Swansea City AFC Foundation’s pan-disability Premier League Kicks sessions support children with a range of disabilities, including Down Syndrome, to take part in football.

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated every year on March 21, raising awareness of Down Syndrome.

Eli and Mason are participants at the Foundation’s pan-disability sessions and have benefitted from being a part of the initiative.

Samantha Fisher, Eli’s mum, believes the inclusive sessions are great for young children in the local area, and praised the coaches for their understanding of the differing needs of the participants.

“To have an inclusive session running here is really important because there was nothing in Swansea for children with disabilities,” explained Samantha.

“It’s about accessing sessions that understand that you have to be a little patient, give a little more time, that everyone learns in different ways and that they will get there, they just might take a little bit more time.

“I think the coaches have been awesome in understanding that all of the children have different needs and in catering for those needs.

Kayley Williams, Mason’s mum, felt the main benefits for Mason have been a growth in his confidence as a result of making friends at the sessions. 

“Mason has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, but it doesn’t define him or his abilities to push himself and do everything that he wants to do,” said Kayley.

“He is very confident anyway, but even more so in these sessions, he’s coming out of his shell and definitely settling in as part of the sessions.”

To find out more about Swansea City AFC Foundation’s pan-disability sessions, click HERE.