Wyrley Juniors FC has become one of only 70 Clubs nationally that are Deaf Friendly.
Julie Bennett, a parent of one of our Under 12s Girls team and a coach at the Girls only Academy, attended a Basic Sign Language Course for Football in July, which enables her to communicate with deaf players whilst coaching. As a result, the Club has signed up to the Deaf Friendly FC Project, which is an initiative driven by The National Deaf Children’s Society.
Julie said ‘I wanted to go on the course because ‘Football is for All’ and there should not be any barriers for anyone who wants to play the game. The course was brilliant and I came away wanting to learn more, even considering enrolling at the local college in Sept to do BSL stage 1. I felt a sense of achievement knowing that a barrier had been removed to allow an individual who is either Deaf or has an Hearing impairment to join in with the ‘beautiful game’.’
The Club’s ethos and charitable aim is that anyone who wants to play the game should be given the opportunity by the Club. Julie expressed a strong interest to attend the course and we are delighted to become one of the Deaf Friendly Football Clubs as a result.
Julie is now enrolling on the Stage 1 Sign Language course with club support. Well done Julie!!