Players in Everton in the Community’s Down’s syndrome team will feel the pride of pulling on the club’s famous blue shirt at a tournament in London later this month.
The team will travel to Charlton Upbeats tournament on Sunday 27th October to celebrate Down’s syndrome awareness month.
Everton have been invited to participate in the annual competition, hosted by the Charlton Athletic Community Trust.
The event will take part at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe in the state-of-the-art Ballerz Air Dome.
Steve Johnson, Everton Football Club’s EDI Operations Manager said: “It’s huge to pull on that blue shirt and feel part of the club. It’s a huge boost to the self-esteem and self-confidence.
“We have a strong partnership with Charlton. They have a really strong Down’s Syndrome team.
“We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to go down for the matchday experience on the Saturday then play the in the tournament on the Sunday.”
After taking in Charlton’s match against Wrexham on October 26th, the Everton side will have their work cut out the following day.
The national tournament will provide a competitive edge with many clubs eying up victory Arsenal, Everton, Fulham, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Lincoln City and Swindon Town all will be represented, with more to be confirmed. The hosts however will be heavy favourites, having lifted the trophy on nine previous occasions.
The event sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association marks a momentous revival of the festival as the occasion was discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic.
