Wattsfield Youth FC, a local FA Charter Standard Club have become one of England's first 'deaf friendly' football clubs by signing up to the NDCS Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge. By signing the pledge recently launched by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), the Club has committed to opening up the sport to deaf people.
The Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge is part of a ground-breaking NDCS project designed to make football more accessible to all deaf children. The pledge has been developed to ensure that FA Charter Standard Football Clubs are Deaf Friendly and are committed to creating equal playing and coaching opportunities for deaf people.
Hayley Jarvis, NDCS Sports and Leisure Activities Manager explains:
“We know there has been a severe lack of football opportunities available from grassroots to elite level for deaf children and young people in the UK in the past. Deafness makes it harder for children to communicate which can be very isolating. Many deaf children and young people find it difficult to participate in football because clubs are not set up to provide good communication.
The Deaf Friendly Football Club Project is revolutionising the sport at all levels for deaf children and young people. Every football club that shows its commitment to deaf children by agreeing to sign the pledge will meet with NDCS’ dedicated Football Development Officer and receive expert knowledge and resources to aid the club in being truly deaf friendly. We are delighted that Wattsfield Youth FC has signed the pledge, and committed to giving deaf people an equal opportunity to play football.”
Rob Casson, a Wattsfield Youth FC team manager, says:
“Wattsfield Youth FC are proud to have signed the Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge. We are looking forward to developing our playing and coaching opportunities for deaf people in our community and ensuring we help them reach their full potential in the sport. We are committed to supporting deaf footballers and ensuring that the Club and its officials are Deaf Friendly.”
Resources that will be provided to clubs that sign the Pledge include the opportunity to take part in NDCS’ unique Coaching Deaf Footballers course, developed with support from the Football Association, a British Sign Language for Football course, a coaching DVD, practical support and assistance from NDCS volunteers, and help in promoting any deaf friendly football activities.
Thirty football clubs have already signed the DFFC pledge and are now working with NDCS, including Arsenal, and Manchester United.
The NDCS Deaf Friendly Football Club Project is being funded with the help of a £211,608 grant from the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, which invests money from its partners – the Premier League, The Football Association, and the Government – into good causes. Funding for the project has also been provided by Phonak UK and Sportsmatch.
If you would like to join Wattsfield Youth FC then please contact Rob or Marie Casson on 07768 355547 / 07866 023186 or email us on robert.casson@daimler.com. Alternatively visit our club website on www.wattsfield.co.uk
For more information on how you, your child or your club can get involved please contact NDCS Football Development Officer by email at football@ndcs.org.uk or phone: 0121 234 9820 (v/t). You can also find more details at www.ndcs.org.uk/football.