Islington Tribune - News: Deaf youngsters

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 1 June 2007

Young deaf children with Arsenal Football in the Community coaches, above. Above, left, Gunnersaurus, the club’s mascot, meets young fans

Deaf youngsters get big kick out of arsenal coaching

DEAF children from Islington played football with rising soccer stars from Arsenal on Monday.
It was part of the Islington -based National Deaf Children’s Society Festival in Walthamstow in partnership with the Football Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and St John’s Arsenal Deaf FC.
The children, aged six to 16, enjoyed coaching sessions and mini games. All sessions were run by Arsenal Football in the Community coaches.
Gunnersaurus, the Arsenal mascot, also attended the presentation ceremony to hand out the awards.
Hayley Brown, NDCS sports and leisure activities officer, said: “In the UK today 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. Many deaf children and young people find it difficult to participate in football because clubs are not set up to provide good communication.
“This project has the potential to revolutionise the sport for deaf children.”

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