Mencap team up for the cup

5:21pm Monday 13th June 2005

A FOOTBALL team from Harrow Mencap have a big weekend ahead as they travel to Leeds for the finals of the Gateway National five-a-side tournament on Saturday.

The team, who suffer from varied learning difficulties such as autism and Down's Syndrome, won through their regional section of the competition held in Stonebridge Park in February.

Manager Simon Heaney said: "The players have a range of ability but overall the standard is good, they are very enthusuastic and have good techniques. Although we didn't win the regional heat we finished at the top of our skill section so we are expecting to come up against a similar level in Leeds and there's no reason we shouldn't do well."

Simon, who has coached the team as a volunteer for two years, takes a squad of seven to the finals: Kevin Sweeney (goalkeeper), Michael Reeves (captain), Matthew Snell, Pritesh Vara, Riaz Rahim (defenders), and strikers Robin Blake and Kenji O'Connor.

The team train on Thursday nights at Harrow Teachers Centre, Tudor Road, Wealdstone at 7.30pm and are aged from 20-50. Although at the moment they are limited to friendlies and tournaments, they are soon hoping to expand and join a league after securing a development grant from the Middlesex FA .

Fore more information on Harrow Mencap, who are based in Gordon Avenue, Stanmore, visit www.harrowmencap.org.uk or call 020 8954 8444.

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