Exeter City were pleased to welcome Down’s Syndrome Association Active members Lee and Adam to our training session on Thursday, March 21.
The day, which is Down’s Syndrome Awarness Day, saw the players dress up in brightly coloured or odd socks to support the charity #LotsofSocks campaign which helps to raise awareness about the condition.
Doug Stratt, a sports officer for Down’s Syndrome Association, admitted he was delighted when he heard that the Exeter City first team were getting involved in the day.
“It is fantastic,” he said. “We have a few sessions going on around Exeter, including one with Exeter City, and we are really, really happy that the first team have got involved with it. Generating awareness like this in the community will be absolutely invaluable and for the kids to see their heroes wearing those socks will really make a big impact.
“In a local community the football club is such a shining light and Adam and Lee haven’t stopped smiling since they got here from what I have seen. I think it is fantastic and it is a real pinnacle for them as well. It makes the hours training that they do in the sports hall feel like it’s worthwhile when they get to meet players such as this.”
Manager Matt Taylor also echoed those thoughts, saying it was important everyone connected with the club understood its role in the community.
“We are a community club based in the city and we are just trying to do our little bit in terms of raising awareness,” he said. “It is important that the club knows what it is. We are a community club that does everything it can for any charity involved but also promoting the right things as well. It is great for keeping the boys as grounded as we can and it is great for experiences for the people who came down to our training sessions today.”
Speaking about the experience, Nicky Law added: “They (Lee and Adam) have been into the changing room and mixed really well with us and they have been taking penalties at (Christy) Pymmy and things like that. It is great to see smiles on their faces and the club do lots of nice things like this and the more we do the better and the lads are always willing to mix in on things like this as well.”