Duo from Spurs Special Olympics project to mascot England at Euro 2012 (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield duo from Tottenham Hotspur Special Olympics project to mascot England at Euro 2012

11:50am Friday 25th May 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

Two budding footballers from Enfield will fly to Ukraine to lead out their heroes at Euro 2012 after being selected as mascots.

Les Dwomoh, 15, and Shaun Green, 15, who go to Oaktree Special School in Chase Side, will carry out the England flag in the Donbass Arena in Donetsk on June 11 when the team plays France in its opening game.

The duo were selected after playing in Enfield’s Special Olympics Unified Football Club, which runs weekly sessions on Saturday mornings in Enfield Playing Fields as part of a project with Enfield Town FC and Spurs.

They won the competition to mascot the team after showing “commitment towards the game and good sportsmanship”.

Kay O’Brien, who leads the scheme, said it was special because it allowed children with learning disabilities to play football with children who did not, giving them extra confidence.

She told the Enfield Independent: “They said we were selected because we were a good example of a local club running a great scheme, so it means a lot.

“Les and Shaun are so excited – they are going to be flown out to Ukraine and get to take part in a special training session on the pitch before the game, which is amazing.

“They’re a bit nervous about leading out the team in front of thousands of people, but by the same token they can’t wait.”

James Isaac, equalities and inclusion manager at the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said the club was “delighted” that the two teenagers had been selected.

He said: “Our work with Special Olympics Great Britain has resulted in such an opportunity being presented to Les and Shaun.

“Words cannot express how excited the children are, and how proud their parents and coaches are.”