Major Development: New Deaf Youth Football Team becomes part of Peterborough United

Peterborough United have confirmed this week that the new Deaf Youth Football team, only established two-months ago by PDDCS, Hampton FC and Jack Hunt School, will become part of the Championship club.

While all the original stakeholders of the project are all still as involved as they ever were - the team's name will change to Peterborough United Deaf Football Club and the kids will now wear the historic blue and white strip of the club on match-days. The Posh will also support the young city's young deaf footballers in the following ways:

• Training at the Posh Academy if needed (coaching remains at Jack Hunt)
• Use of coaching equipment
• Discount for coach's clothing
• Access to club transport for away matches
• Use of the club name and kits for match days
• Free tickets to Posh home matches for the players
• Reports on the Posh.com website and in the match-day magazine

Rob Neil remains the head-coach of the deaf team alongside assistant coaches Qadeer Hussain, Katie Bocking and Tash Applegate. Funding will still need to be sought to pay for the development of deaf youth football in the city so the roles of the founding partners of the project remain as crucial as ever. There is still lots of work to be done.

This brilliant news reinforces the importance of providing accessible opportunities to play football for deaf children in the city. It means the players can wear the Posh shirt with the pride shown by some of the clubs greatest players and compete on an equal footing with other deaf teams from cities like Cardiff, Norwich City and Manchester United. 

Deaf friendly coaching will continue on Monday nights at Jack Hunt School after the Easter holidays and is open to all boys and girls, of all abilities and of any age. 

**Don't forget that Hampton FC are hosting a free deaf friendly football session with Claire Stancliffe at Hampton FC's facility on the 12th April.**