Three sides crowned champions at National Deaf Youth Football finals

Three sides have been crowned national champions at the finals of the National Deaf Youth Football Tournament.

Peterborough United under-13s, Real Madrid Elite under-16s and Deaf World VII under-18s, full of aspiring young deaf footballers, battled it out against teams from across the UK at St George’s Park to secure victory and claim the coveted title of champions of the tournament.

The competition is run by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and is the UK’s largest club based football tournament for deaf children.

Hundreds of deaf young people took part in this year’s annual five-a-side tournament, which is the ninth to be held as part of NDCS’s Me2 project.

The initiative aims to ensure that young people are fully supported to fulfil their potential. 

Tyron Woolfe, Deputy Director, Children and Young People for NDCS said:

“I’d like to congratulate each team on a really fantastic performance and the commitment shown throughout the tournament. Our national finals day is a celebration of the football clubs and coaches who have succeeded in making the beautiful game accessible to deaf children and spreading the message that deafness doesn’t have to hold you back. 

“Involving deaf children in football is great for developing their social skills and I hope that every young person who took part can take-away some reinforced self-confidence and memories of a really great event.”

Clubs who want to find out about becoming accessible to deaf children, can email football@ndcs.org.uk or visit www.ndcs.org.uk/football for details.