The Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge

The DFFC Pledge has been developed by the NDCS, in partnership with the Football Association, to ensure football clubs are ‘deaf friendly’ and are committed to creating equal playing and coaching opportunities for deaf people. The Pledge is designed for FA Charter Standard clubs. Any FA Charter Standard club that wishes to become deaf aware and increase playing, coaching and socialising opportunities for deaf people at their club is welcome to join this unique scheme.

You can download a sample copy of the pledge below.

All your club will have to do is sign up and follow the simple guidelines listed on the Pledge below. In return, the NDCS will support your club with opportunities for club officials and coaches to take part in our Coaching Deaf Footballers course and also learn BSL!

It is estimated that one in seven people in the UK have some form of permanent deafness. Over 35,000 of these are children aged 0-16.

Deafness in itself should not stop people playing football according to the official FIFA Laws of the Game. Rules do not need to be adapted, as they may need to in order to accommodate those with other disabilities. This means that there should be no barriers to stop deaf people from playing football for mainstream football clubs and fulfilling their sporting and personal potential within such an environment.

The DFFC Pledge has been developed to ensure football clubs are ‘deaf friendly’ and are committed to creating equal playing and coaching opportunities for deaf people. By becoming deaf aware, the club is fulfilling part of their FA Charter Standard Club requirements and becoming more inclusive for the whole community to participate in and enjoy.

The Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge requires the following commitments:

To ensure that the whole Club is ‘Deaf Friendly’

• The Club must have the ability to adapt training and playing situations to ensure deaf children enjoy full access
• Ensure club officials undertake training opportunities to ensure they are deaf aware
• Make every effort to ensure players are also deaf aware
• Club policies include Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety that recognise and reflect the needs of deaf footballers and deaf club officials
• That a named ‘Deaf Friendly’ club contact is established with up to date email addresses, fax numbers and mobile phone numbers (for text messages) available for deaf people

To promote effective communication

• Understand different communication options
• Ensure that all relevant club officials and coaches receive training in communicating effectively with deaf footballers
• Be aware of the various strategies which promote good communication
• Relevant club officials and coaches to undertake basic sign language training

That the Club and officials recognise the abilities of all deaf footballers and develop their game to help them reach their full potential

• Clubs must have consistently high expectations of deaf footballer’s performance, whatever their ability
• Clubs must have an understanding of how to support a deaf footballer and meet their needs whilst involved in Club activities
• Recognise deaf footballers as individuals
• Understand the player pathways open to deaf footballers
• Value their contribution to the Club and their individual teams

To create equal playing and social opportunities for deaf footballers

• Deaf footballers to be fully included in match, training and social situations
• Ensure deaf players develop their confidence and positive self-esteem
• Ensure they conform to the same standards of discipline and behaviour as the rest of their team

If you want to find out more information on how your club can sign up to the DFFC Pledge. Please contact the Football Development Officer on football@ndcs.org.uk or 07966 341 022 (SMS Only)