UK Sport

New era for deaf sport in the UK

Rob Burgess 24 June 2003

Following nearly two years of intense negotiation, the formation of a new UK-wide body designed to create a single, cohesive voice for deaf sport in the UK was announced earlier this month.

UK Deaf Sport, which has the support of 29 deaf sporting organisations across the country plus backing from UK Sport and the English Federation of Disability Sport, will initially concentrate on three key areas – i) the appointment of a national development manager to facilitate working relationships with all national governing bodies of sport and the Sports Councils, ii) to prepare for GB’s participation in the next Deaflympic Games in Melbourne, January 2005, iii) to develop a UK-wide strategy for the future growth of deaf sport.

"It has long been the desire of deaf athletes that we should be judged for our sporting achievements, not our disability," explained Craig Crowley, the organisation’s new Chairman.

"For too long, deaf athletes have been crying out for professional back up and skilled coaching to help raise their performance to a new level. A huge challenge awaits us to help realise their dreams and lay the foundations for future success at international level.

"Sport is also about social inclusion and well-being, and offers a great means of facilitating the introduction of deaf people into society, where many deaf athletes enjoy playing with their hearing counterparts in the local community."

For the first time, support and planning for the development of deaf sport will occur within the same governing framework as all national sport in the UK. National governing bodies of sport and Sports Councils are also expected to become equal partners in providing suitable access for deaf people to sporting facilities & elite coaching programmes.

The founding members of UK Deaf Sport include: Becoming Visual, Birmingham Deaf Golf Club, Black Country Deaf FC, Brighton & Hove Deaf FC, British Deaf Tennis Association. British Deaf Ten Pin Bowling, Communication Through Sport Warwickshire, Croydon Deaf Sports Club, Deaf English Rugby Union, Deaf Netball, Deaf UK Athletics, Doncaster Deaf FC, England Deaf Cricket Association, English Deaf Football, English Deaf Golf Association, English Deaf Lawn Bowls Association, English Deaf Women’s Football, Fulham Deaf FC, Great Britain Badminton, Great Britain Football, Great Britain Swimming, Great Britain Women’s Football, Leeds Deaf FC, Midland Deaf Sports Association, St Johns FC, South West Netball, Welsh Deaf Golf, Welsh Deaf Rugby Union, Winter & Adventure Sports.

For more information please email chairUKDS@hotmail.com.

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