The Isle of Man Football Association’s Special Olympics team travel to Gibraltar today (Thursday) to take part in the Gareth Cowin Memorial Football Tournament.

The trip has been organised in conjunction with the IoMFA as part of its disability football programme for 2017.

Frank Stennett CEO of the IOMFA commented: ’This year sees the fourth annual tournament in memory of Gareth Cowin, a truly special participant from Special Olympics, who will always be fondly remembered by family, friends, fellow athletes and the Manx football community.

’The tournament in the Isle of Man in July 2016 culminated in Gibraltar winning overall at St John’s Football Club.

’Every year the winner take on the mantle of hosts for the next tournament and we are all really looking forward to taking part in what will be a keenly-contested tournament at the Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar.

’It was through this very tournament that the IoMFA disability football team received an invitation from the Icelandic Football Association to take part in their own inaugural disability football tournament earlier this year.

’We travel to Gibraltar in good form and with decent fitness levels, having returned to the island with the winners gold trophy we won in Reykjavik.

’These trips not only provide an excellent experience for our players on the field of play but also provide key learning opportunities in relation to social skills, team work and in representing the Isle of Man wherever we travel.’

The tournament concludes with a formal dinner on Saturday night with officials from the Gibraltar FA present.

This then concludes the IoMFA disability football programme for 2017 and plans are now afoot to put in place development plans and tournaments for next year.