As part of EFL Week of Action, Derby County Community Trust's downs syndrome football team, DS Active were invited to watch and join in with the Derby County first team training session at Moor Farm. 

The annual EFL Week of Action unites all 72 member clubs to highlight the impact that they have on their communities as a collective. As part of the week, EFL in the Community released their latest 'Measuring the Impact of EFL Clubs in the Community' report. The report, celebrates the collective impact of Club Community Organisations across the EFL. Figures showed a record number of participants engaging in Club community projects during the 23/24 season and for every £1 spent, £11 is generated in social value. 

Derby County Community Trust's DS Active squad are players with Down’s Syndrome, who range from age 12-54 and take part in weekly football sessions and occasional matches against other teams from across the country. 

Head Coach, Paul Warne first met 3 members of the DS Active squad back in July at the Trust's Black and White Ball. Paul and the team captain, Mikey, formed quite the bond from the off. The team were subsequently invited down to watch a training session and then play a match against members of the Derby County First Team. 

On the invite, Head of Community, Paul Newman said: 

Paul and Richie have always come down and supported our activities and at our Black and White ball we had some members from DS Active, who came and stole the show. Mikey, the captain, was auditioning for captain of the first team and Paul being the character he is revelled in it and struck up a bond and invited us down with the team whenever we could get a date in the diary. 

They're a great group and it's more than just a football team, there's genuine friendships. It's not just through the team the parents and the siblings, it's a real support mechanism and a real family and I don't say that lightly. They are a group that have been together a long while and this is real reward and recognition for that bond and camaraderie and it's something very special. 

DS Active Team Manager and Derby County Community Trust Disability Inclusion Officer, Shannon Parkes said:

"These guys have been part of the Derby County Community Trust for around 10 years. The group as a whole, honestly, every time we go to a session it's like we've won the World Cup. There's just so much love and so much joy that this session brings to everyone that gets involved. 

You can watch the full video of their visit on the DCFC Youtube Channel HERE.