Northern Ireland News - NI take on Europe's best in special football tournament

28 July 2003

NI take on Europe's best in special football tournament

A young Northern Ireland football team is set to take on the world's top teams at this year's European Championships for Adults With Learning Difficulties.

The event, which takes place in Aviero, Portugal, starts with a game against World Champions, England on August 3rd, and is being supported by the Irish Football Association's (IFA) 'Football for All' campaign.

The Northern Ireland squad, which is being managed by IFA Staff, including Community Relations Officer, Michael Boyd, fly out of Belfast on Wednesday the 30th July.

Michael says the championships highlight the progress being made to make football more inclusive in the province. He added: “The fact that we are taking a Northern Ireland team to this European Championship highlights that the IFA’s development work in this area is highly successful. Football is a sport everyone can enjoy and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing in this prestigious tournament”.

Northern Ireland face a tough test in Group A playing against England, Holland, Germany and Hungary. Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain and France make up the equally tough Group B.

It is the first time Northern Ireland have entered a team in the competition, which is in its fourth year.

(MB)