Special event held to honour Derry football team who have taken the world by storm
By Ursula Duddy
A special event was held this week in honour of a Derry football team who have taken the world by storm.
The Oxford Bulls team is made up of young boys with Down Syndrome.
The team was set up a number of years but had difficulty in finding teams to play.
However, after Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean recently lent his support to the team, their story went viral.
The Oxford Bulls were featured on websites throughout the world and even made it on to the BBC’s Football Focus programme.
As a result of the attention, the boys played their first official match last month against a team from Sion Mills.
Proud parents and delighted players were guests at a special Mayoral reception in the Guildhall on Monday.
Speaking at the reception, the Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock, said: “It’s just such a wonderful partnership between Foyle Down Syndrome Trust and Oxford United.
“It’s great to see all the parents here and it’s just fantastic these boys are all having an opportunity to experience what it’s like being in a team and taking part in football. Hopefully, in time to come there will be more teams like this so you can run proper competitions.
“I just want to say a big thank you to all the coaches and all the people involved for making this happen.”
Kevin Morrison, one of the proud fathers that helped start the team, explained how things got off the ground.
“After my son, Adam, got involved with Oxford United, myself, John Norris, Conan’s dad, and Seamus Breslin, Caoimhin’s dad, all members of the Foyle Downs Syndrome Trust, thought the lads might enjoy a bit of footie.
“So the three of us took the training for the first year.
“Adam had went to the Foyle Cup and Oxford United invited him to take part in a couple of games.
“Then I got a call to say he loved it and they asked could they not do something with the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust.
“The Trust manager, Lorraine Gallen, has been a strong supporter of the football project since it started then Mickey Hamill, Treasurer of Oxford United, stepped in.
“Once he did we got the funding, the kits that you see the boys wearing and he’s been instrumental in getting coaches organised, trainers, sponsorship and the sponsors are here today, they’ve been phenomenal. Leanne and Pete McCamphill from the Stairway Barbershop . They have funded our use of the CK Sports Centre this year and support us at every opportunity. They have no connection to the team; just felt they wanted to help out.”
Conal Fagan, the youth coach with the Oxford Bulls, described his work with the Oxford Bulls from a personal viewpoint as ‘life-changing’ and said he has noticed the lads in the team coming on in leaps and bounds.
“It’s crazy when they first started they could barely kick a ball but now they’ve become proper competitive!” he laughed.
“To watch them playing now and challenging each other, it’s pretty special. It’s changed their lives completely. Some of the kids wouldn’t have smiled when they first came down to training but when they come down now on a Sunday they’re just brilliant. I can see how it’s benefitted them 100%.”