Peterborough Deaf Football Club founder wins award.
Posh deaf coordinator Andy Palmer has won the local Halifax giving award for the area. Andy voluntarily manages and coordinates specialist football for deaf children, young people and adults in Peterborough. Andy is fluent in British Sign Language (BSL) and is passionate about ensuring full access to communication for deaf people in sports so they are able to reach their full potential.
Andy established Peterborough United Deaf Football Club and it began as the Peterborough and District Deaf Children’s Society (PDDCS) team in 2013, for which Andy is Chairman. Andy has now incorporated football coaching for deaf children aged 5-9 which means that Peterborough has the only deaf football scheme for all ages in England. This specialist club has benefited 70 deaf people, providing full access to regular qualified football coaching. It has improved the quality of football, confidence, social skills and positive feelings of wellbeing. The deaf football teams can be found on twitter @poshdeaf.
Community Manager Nick Sheppard said: “Without Andy, the growth of the Deaf football teams would not have been possible. Andy’s drive has seen the participation levels across the board soar. Players have the opportunity to play competitively or recreationally so deaf players of all abilities are catered for. The award is a testament to the hours of hard work Andy has put in over the last few years.”
Andy added: “I'm delighted that Halifax bank have given me this award. It's a joy to be associated with both the deaf children's society and Peterborough United and its that team effort with all the other volunteers players coaches and parents that mean we've got a football project to be proud of.”