Footballers help deaf players get kick-start

3:55pm Thursday 22nd November 2007

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CHAMPIONSHIP footballers have shown their support for deaf children by appearing in a DVD explaining how to coach them.

Charlton players Luke Varney, Izale McLeod, Chris Dickson, Dean Sinclair and coach and former player Mark Kinsella star in the DVD, which will be distributed among football coaches nationwide.

It was commissioned by the Deaf Friendly Football Club Project and has been approved by the FA as a tool to be used by coaches to make football fun and accessible to deaf children.

The project is part of an initiative being run by charity the National Deaf Children's Society and is designed to open football up to deaf children.

In the 35-minute DVD, the footballers demonstrate how coaches can use sign language to communicate football terminology.

Deaf awareness tips, case studies of how deaf youngsters cope with hearing difficulties playing football and interviews with coaches who have learnt how to use sign language in football are also included.

Society sports and leisure activities officer Hayley Brown said: "There is a real lack of football opportunities available from grassroots to elite level for deaf children and young people.

"Deafness makes it harder for children to communicate, which can be very isolating.

"The DVD is an essential tool for coaches to use in order to make football accessible and safe for deaf young people.

"We are very grateful to the Charlton players for supporting the DVD and showing their commitment to deaf-friendly football."

The project is being funded with the help of a £211,608 grant from sports charity the Football Foundation, which invests money from the Premier League, the FA and the Government.

Mr Kinsella said: "Football should be open to everyone, and this groundbreaking project will make football easier to play for deaf young people than ever before."

To receive a free copy of the DVD, email football@ndcs.org.

uk, call 0121 234 9820 or visit ndcs.org.uk/football