The DS Devils football team was launched by the Saints Foundation in 2016 to provide young people and adults alike with the opportunity to compete in regular competitive football throughout the region and nationally.

The team hopes that the fun training sessions will further develop the young people and adult’s social interaction skills, team work, communication and football skills.

When DSActive went to visit Southampton it was clear the players thoroughly enjoyed the session, with some fantastic team work on display.

Players were learning how to dribble with the ball and shoot, aiming for the bottom corners. At the end of the session this practice really paid off when we saw some fantastic goals being scored.  There were also some great tackles being made! Everything a team needs to compete at the DSActive Naitional Festival!

Before the session began, we spent some time with the coaches, running through DSActive Coach Education workshop. The workshop introduces the DSActive programme and focuses on what Down’s syndrome is, coaching, organisation and communication and player development.

One of the Saints coaches who attended said “today has been really informative. It has made me think about my coaching style and different ways I can coach players with Down’s syndrome”.

If you would like to find out more information about the DS Devils and their training sessions, please email Michael Pink at mpink@saintsfc.co.uk.