Oxford Bulls ready to thrill the crowds in Spring Carnival parade
11 March 2024
Oxford Bulls FC have had their fair share of new and exciting experiences since they played their first competitive game in 2017 and they will enjoy yet another this St Patrick’s Day when they take part in the city’s famous Spring Carnival parade.
The team, who are made up of players with Down Syndrome, became a household name seven years ago when Ireland legend James McClean answered their appeal for opposition and brought a team to play them at the Foyle Futsal Centre.
The video of that match went viral and marked the start of a remarkable adventure for their players and coaches.
“Before that we’d only ever trained by ourselves but, after the video went viral, the offers to play and opportunities to take part in events came flooding in,” explained the team’s Founder Kevin Morrison. “The players have really developed both as footballers and socially in that time, it can take time for them to learn new skills but with the benefit of experience they are flying.
“They were ambassadors for Derry’s European Capital of Youth bid and we’ve played in a number of tournaments in Ireland and toured Liverpool where we plan to go back to in June. “The squad have grown from 10 players to 16 and we’ve had several more viral social media videos.
“Our players Keigan Taylor and Adam Morrison had trials with the Republic of Ireland’s Futsal Development Squad and Keigan was selected and now trains with them regularly.
“We’ve led the Foyle Cup parade for the last three years which has been brilliant and this takes it to the next level now to do an event on the scale of the St Partrick’s Day parade.”
The Bulls will join hundreds of other sports clubs, dance troops and performers for the parade which leaves Bishop Street at 3pm and will weave its way around the city centre.
The prospect of interacting with the thousands of people who line the route is one Kevin says the boys will relish.
“The players are very very excited and were really chuffed to be asked,” he continued. “The people of the North West always react well to us at events and we can’t wait to showcase ourselves in front of tens of thousands of people.
“The North West Carnival Initiative are working on bull horns for us to wear and black and blue outfits.
“Adam is talking about bringing the drum he plays at the Derry matches, you can be guaranteed plenty of noise with us and you’ll hear us before you see us.”
Kevin and the club’s coaches have watched with pride over the last nine years as the boys’ self esteem and confidence grew with each positive experience they have had.
“The main aim for us in taking part in mass community events like this is about getting kids seen, building their confidence and making them feel equal in our society.”
“Our moto has always been ‘Ability not Disability’, some things can be harder for the boys but the more games and events they have felt comfortable and embraced the experience.
“The public have really taken them to their hearts as well and we’ve had huge support from the local business community, our main sponsors Lynch’s Eurospar have been very generous and the boys haven’t wanted for anything.”
Looking ahead to the future, the club have exciting plans to have their own base in the city and to keep playing as many games as possible.
“The club have a close relationship with Downs and Proud in Lurgan and Well Wane Warriors in Newry and we are planning to host a round robin style tournament with them in the summer,” Kevin added.
“We have plans to make an official link up with Derry City and Oxford United Stars where a lot of our coaches have come from.
“We currently play at Bay Road Soccer but we have ambitions to develop our own base in the future, to have our own club house would be a massive step forward for the club.”
For more information on the Oxford Bulls you can follow them on Facebook at Oxford Bulls FC.
Derry city centre will come alive this St Patrick’s Day as Derry City and Strabane District Council host an action packed programme of music, dance, food and folklore for its Spring Carnival celebrations. The ‘Out of the Darkness Into the Light’ themed event will celebrate the arrival of spring in all its colourful splendour with entertainment and activity planned for Guildhall Square, the Peace Garden and the Craft Village. The centrepiece event will once again be the North West Carnival Initiative’s renound Spring Carnival Parade which will feature flamboyant performances from local dance groups, sports clubs and community organisations. The parade through the city centre starts at Bishop Street at 3pm but entertainment is planned all over the city centre from 1pm to 6pm. Access the programme now at derrystrabane.com/springcarnival and come and join us on Sunday March 17th for a day of music, dance and folklore.