Residents from Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community for people with learning disabilities in Berkshire, played host to a team of sporting enthusiasts from Holland this week as they travelled to the UK for a special 7-a-side football tournament. Dutch side FC Meo, joined eight teams of other players with learning disabilities from west Berkshire, including two from Ravenswood, for the annual football competition at Cantley Park in Wokingham on Wednesday.
Ravenswood has had strong links with FC Meo for nearly twenty years, following an introduction at a tournament in Denmark. The teams have since been hosting each other on a regular basis, competing in a number of football and cycle tours in Holland and the UK.
During the week, Ravenswood residents enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends and reunite with old ones, whilst enjoying new attractions in London. As part of the visit, Ravenswood’s sports and leisure team organised a number of site-seeing outings and events, including guided tours of Wembley Stadium and Windsor Castle, and a special welcome dinner for the European team.
Teams from Bracknell and Slough were eventually crowned champions of the tournament in Leagues A and B respectively, although FC Meo and Ravenswood both succeeded as runners-up.
Nigel Trumper, Sport and Leisure Co-Ordinator at Ravenswood, said: “The visit has been a fantastic opportunity to catch up with old friends. It may have been a competition, but everyone here is a winner!”
The highlight of the trip for both teams was their visit to the press conference area during their Wembley tour, which included the opportunity to have their photos taken in the famous hot seat.
Richard Brouwer, a member of FC Meo, said: “I have really enjoyed spending time with my new friends. It’s been fantastic, a once in a lifetime experience!”
