Fulham Deaf FC (FDFC) was established in 2003 is now one of the leading deaf football clubs in the country. To celebrate eight years of success, Fulham FC Foundation is running a Fulham Deaf FC open day at Fulham’s FC Motspur Park Training Ground on Sunday 14th August between 12.00pm and 5.30pm.
The open day will include a variety of different events and activities, such as: a high quality youth coaching session, followed by an adult coaching clinic, an opportunity to watch the Deaf Ladies GB team vs FDFC and the current Men’s Deaf Team play ex FDFC players who will form the All Stars squad. The day will round up with a BBQ and end of season presentation ceremony.
We hope that the open day will generate interest for new deaf players to join the men’s, ladies and new youth team, as well as raise the awareness of the deaf football club in the local community and showcase the great work the FDFC committee and Fulham FC Foundation do in making football accessible to young people with a hearing impairment.
FDFC was established in 2003 by Nick Beese. As a deaf young person himself with a passion for football, he was concerned about the lack of football opportunities for deaf people in South London. He started to work closely with Fulham FC’s community team to set the club up.
Nick Beese who is Chairman of FDFC recently said:
“It's been an amazing eight year journey! Fulham DFC changed the deaf football landscape from the very beginning. The ladies squad, being the only deaf ladies team in the U.K, plays a very important role for GB and England Ladies teams, providing a large quota of players for the GB and England squads with five FDFC members being involved in the recent European Championships in Bulgaria.
“The men's squad has won many trophies and made a huge impression on the domestic stage. Like the ladies squad, the men's squad has provided GB with many internationals. At the recent European Championships in which GB came a credible 4th place, there were nine FDFC members in the squad and management team.
As Chairman, Nick finds his role both challenging and rewarding. He added:
“Fundraising to keep the youth squad and adult teams running is challenging. The most rewarding aspect is seeing so many deaf footballers from different age groups and backgrounds all pull together for the same cause. It is also rewarding when any of our teams win silverware”.
Please come and support FDFC on Sunday 14th August it is £5 entry for adult, £2 for children including a BBQ voucher (under 5s go free).