Free football sessions for deaf children in Londonderry

This free event, which will take place from 10am to 2pm, is for 7-14 year olds and is organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and the Irish Football Association (IFA). It will give boys and girls an opportunity to get together for a series of football training sessions and mini games, which will be led by qualified football coaches.

The Football Fun event is part of a groundbreaking project, Me2, designed by NDCS to make sports and arts activities more accessible to all deaf children.

Hayley Jarvis, NDCS Sports and Leisure Activities Manager, said: “I would urge all deaf children and their siblings from Londonderry to come along and play this beautiful game.

“At the moment there is a real lack of leisure opportunities available for deaf children and young people. Communication barriers mean that many clubs are not accessible to deaf children, so they are missing out.

“The Irish Football Association is a great example of how organisations can become fully inclusive for deaf children. I am therefore grateful to the Association for their dedication to improving opportunities for deaf children in accessing the game in their area, and for the support they have given to our Me2 project.”

Alan Crooks, IFA Development Manager (Disability Football), said: “The Irish Football Association is delighted to be working in partnership with NDCS in creating football opportunities for young deaf children in Northern Ireland. We strongly believe in the ‘football for all’ ethos and by working closely with disability organisations, such as NDCS we can help break down the barriers to participation that occur in Disability Sport.”

To book your place at the Football Fun day, email me2@ndcs or call 0121 234 9820. For further information, please go to: www.ndcs.org.uk/me2.