Brentford Penguins enjoy a weekend to remember

A group of inspiring youngsters with Down's syndrome were given a weekend to remember as Brentford Penguins made a special trip to Bilbao, Spain, to meet Athletic Club Genuine Foundation.

The Penguins, who are supported by local club, Brentford, and Down's Syndrome Active, played a friendly against Genuine, a team of people with intellectual disabilities from the Basque Country which is run by LaLiga team Athletic Club.

Led by former Bees winger Allan Cockram, Brentford Penguins' experience of travelling abroad was one to savour.

"This is our first trip to Spain," Cockram told Brentford's club website. "To come to a top LaLiga club with its history is absolutely amazing.

"The children get on with it and enjoy it, but you can see the happiness on the parents’ faces."

During the weekend they were also invited to a screening of The Mighty Penguins, a film that followed the Penguins and featured their appearance at Brentford's Premier League fixture against Leicester City in March when they formed a guard of honour for the first-team players.

"We’re getting the Brentford Penguins out to the world," added Cockram, "And we’re hoping to travel to other Down's syndrome communities and show how great these kids can be – and that means the world to me."

Brentford Penguins, who celebrate their sixth anniversary this year, put on weekly training sessions for children over the age of five-years-old living with Down's syndrome who want to improve and practice their football skills while also improving their balance, coordination and agility.