GB Deaf Football – representing all four home nations – does not receive public funding, so this donation will particularly aid the squad’s English-based players to train and prepare ahead of both men’s and women’s teams travelling to the prestigious Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey next July.
Jeff Davis, The FA’s national elite development manager, disability, said: “We are pleased to be able to make this donation as The FA is absolutely committed to promoting all forms of the game, especially with the incredible growth in disability football – both in terms of participation and public interest.”
In all, the game’s governing body has designated £1.4m to helping the six elite impairment-specific squads and has also directed £500,000 towards the disability talent programme. The FA is also putting £1.8m into grassroots funding for disability growth and participation.
The Deaflympics date back to 1924 and are an International Olympic Committee sanctioned competition, held every four years, where deaf athletes are able to compete an elite level. They are the longest-running multi-sport global event other than the Olympic Games.
Source – www.thefa.com
GB Deaf had earlier received a £20k donation from Gary Neville and £3,667 from the general public, leaving them £61,333 left to raise for the Deaflympics. Click on the link to contribute: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamgbdf
Pictured – GB with their 2016 Deaf World Cup bronze medals.
