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The Rangers Charity Foundation’s Count Me In squad enjoyed an unforgettable week in Slovakia as they took part in the Slovak Ability Sport Youth Games 2026.

The trip gave the young participants the opportunity to represent the Foundation on an international stage, experience new surroundings and build friendships through their shared love of football.

As well as taking part in the Ability Sport Youth Games, the squad enjoyed a packed programme of football and cultural experiences, including training sessions and two friendly matches against the Slovak Cerebral Palsy (CP) Football Association, a meeting with Slovakia and former Napoli midfielder Marek Hamšík, and the chance to watch the Old Firm together.

The trip began with the squad settling into their surroundings before getting down to business on the football pitch, with the young players taking part in a training session alongside members of the Slovak CP Football Association.

The session provided an opportunity for both groups to learn from one another, while also allowing the players to experience a different football environment and develop relationships which continued throughout the week.

The Count Me In squad then took part in two friendly matches against the Slovak CP Football Association, giving the players the chance to put their preparation into practice and enjoy competitive football in a new setting.

While the matches provided plenty of excitement on the pitch, the trip was about much more than football. For the participants, travelling abroad as part of the squad provided opportunities to grow in confidence, experience a different culture and share new experiences with their teammates.

Foundation Community Programmes Manager, Jordan Boyd, said:

“The opportunity to travel to Slovakia and take part in an experience like this is something that the young people will remember for a long time. While football is at the heart of the Count Me In programme, a trip like this gives the participants so much more than the chance to play the game.

“It allows them to experience a different country, meet new people, make friendships and step outside of their usual surroundings. They can develop their confidence, independence and communication skills, while also learning how to work together and support one another as a team.

“Seeing the young people embrace every part of the trip, from the football to the activities away from the pitch, has been fantastic. These are opportunities that can have a real impact on them as individuals, and it has been brilliant to see them grow and enjoy the experience together.”

The squad also received a special visit from one of Slovakia’s most celebrated footballers, Marek Hamšík.

The former Slovakia captain, who enjoyed a distinguished career at club level and represented his country more than 100 times, spent time with the Count Me In participants during their visit.

Meeting a player who has represented his country at the highest level provided a memorable moment for the young players and added another special chapter to their international football experience.

Marek Hamšík said:

“It’s wonderful that both teams have the chance to compete against each other, but the most important thing is that they are taking part and socialising in a new group. I think football is the most powerful sport in the world when you think about how many people it can bring together. All the players are fantastic, and I wish them good luck.

The connection between the Foundation and the Slovak CP Football Association was another important part of the visit.

The two organisations were able to share experiences of using football to create opportunities for young people with disabilities, while the training sessions and friendly matches demonstrated the power of sport to bring people together.

Mario Marcan, CEO of the Slovak CP Football Association, played an important role in welcoming the Rangers squad and helping to make their visit such a memorable one.

Mario added:

“Our CP Football Association was setup four years ago by myself, my son and my wife because my son has a genetic brain injury so we created the association. This year is the first time we have been part of the Ability Sport Youth Games, so it is very nice to be here as well.

“When we met with the Foundation at the Genuine Cup in Houston earlier this year, we made a strong bond together and having lived in Scotland before, I knew that we would get along. I asked Jordan if there was any chance that we might be able to play a friendly match sometime and the organisers of the games asked me if I had anyone in mind to play against.

“Straight away I though of Rangers and invited the Foundation over for these games. Across everything this week, it has been really special to see both our team and the Foundation team mix socialise and play together it has been amazing to see.”

Away from the football pitch, the squad were also able to experience one of the biggest fixtures in the Scottish football calendar together.

On Sunday, the group gathered to watch the Old Firm, giving the young players the chance to share the occasion with their teammates while they were thousands of miles from home.

For the parents and families travelling with the squad, the trip also provided an opportunity to see the impact that an experience like this can have beyond the football itself.

Graeme Higgins, whose son Graeme is a member of the Count Me In squad, travelled with the group and saw first-hand the experiences and opportunities the trip provided.

Graeme said:

“The trip has been absolutely brilliant. It’s a lovely place and we’ve been welcomed by everyone we’ve met.

“Young Graeme has absolutely loved it. He’s been doing really well out here and to be honest he’s managed a lot better than I thought he would over here. The whole experience has been a 10 out of 10 for me. Seeing him score couple of goals for Rangers made me really proud and I’ve got his celebration as my lock screen now and I don’t think I’ll be changing it any time soon.”

“A couple of years ago there was no chance he would have managed to do something like this but through the Count Me In programme he’s built himself up a bit and it makes me proud to be over here supporting him and seeing him get involved in something he loves.”

The week concluded with a closing ceremony and disco, bringing together the participants and those involved in making the Ability Sport Youth Games 2026 possible.

It was a fitting way to end a trip which had combined football, friendship, competition and new experiences, with the Count Me In squad able to celebrate everything they had achieved together.

The Slovak Ability Sport Youth Games provided the latest opportunity for the Count Me In squad to demonstrate that football really is for everyone.

Through the Foundation’s Count Me In programme, young people with learning disabilities are given opportunities to develop their football skills, build confidence and enjoy being part of a team.

The squad’s time in Slovakia showed the positive impact that inclusive sport can have, while creating memories which the participants, their families and everyone involved will take home with them.

From stepping onto the pitch for international friendlies to meeting a Slovak football legend, watching Rangers with their teammates and celebrating together at the closing ceremony, the trip provided a week to remember for the Count Me In squad.