Parents of three young girls with Down syndrome have shared how Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s adapted football sessions are having a “huge positive impact” ahead of World Down Syndrome Day (21 March).
Lana and Zaara, both 10, and Lily, six, were recently surprised at our Training Centre with the news they would be mascots for our Women’s team’s game against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 15 March.
Their parents described how the Foundation’s sessions – on the first Sunday of every month at Tottenham Community Sports Centre, opposite the Stadium – bring the girls physical and social benefits.
Alastair Hann, dad to Lily, said: “The sessions have a huge positive impact for her dexterity, building muscle tone – low muscle tone is very common in many people with Down syndrome – and fitness. They also create opportunities to build links and relationships within the Down syndrome community. That Spurs are providing a really local option makes it far easier to access all these benefits for Lily.”
Lewis Eldridge, dad to Zaara, said: “Like other kids with Down syndrome, Zaara has a learning disability, whilst her physical development is also slower than a typical child. I’m very proud when I see her kicking a ball so well and interacting with others very naturally. It's also really important that people with disabilities are visible in the community, so football sessions like this also help in that way.”
Deebah Liaquat, mum to Lana, said: “We were super excited when we heard about these sessions as there are so little opportunities for children with Down syndrome to take part in inclusive after-school and weekend activities. Getting Lana to be more active is really difficult and to see her excited about playing football is amazing. It gives us piece of mind to bring her to sessions we know she will enjoy and that will be safe for her with peers with similar ability.”
It is estimated that around one in every 1,000 babies born in the UK has Down syndrome. The Foundation’s sessions are part of its wider development of football opportunities for local people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with almost 28% of households in Haringey having at least one person with a long-term disability and 15.4% of the population in Enfield living with a disability.
Tickets to see the women’s team take on Everton are still available – click here!