A festival celebrating deaf-accessible football was recently held in Milton Keynes as MK Dons Sport and Education Trust played host to the National Deaf Children's Society's (NDCS) Deaf Friendly Football Festival at the Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion and stadiummk.

Children aged 6-16 with any level of hearing loss and of all football playing ability attended the Festival.The deaf children received specialist coaching from MK Dons SET coaches, took part in training activities and mini-games as well as making some new friends. As part of the Festival, deaf children had the chance to watch MK Dons vs. Bournemouth at stadiummk.

The Festival aimed to raise awareness of the various training activities that MK Dons Sport and Education Trust has launched for children and young people in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. Following the Football Festival a brand new MK Dons FC Disability team for junior deaf players will be launched, training on a regular basis and competing against other junior deaf football clubs.

Hayley Jarvis, NDCS Inclusive Activities Manager, said: "There is a severe lack of accessible football activities for deaf children and young people across the UK: approximately only 100 out of 120,000 teams are registered as deaf friendly. This festival is a celebration of clubs like MK Dons who have taken the simple steps to become accessible to deaf young people.

"Involving deaf children in football is great for their confidence and social skills.We want to make sure that deaf young people have the same opportunities to take part in sports as any other children.It is fantastic that clubs like MK Dons are creating playing, coaching and socialising opportunities for deaf children," said Ms Jarvis.

Karl White, MK Dons Sport and Education Trust Disability Officer, said '' All o four sessions take place locally and the emphasis is always based on 'Everybody Plays'. We strive to give people the opportunity to play football regardless of age, race, gender or ability. We want to be able to provide a safe place where everybody can take part in regular coaching sessions, enhance their footballing skills and improve theirsocial and life skills''

The festival is part of the NDCS Deaf Friendly Football Project, which encourages junior football clubs of all sizes to open up their teams to deaf players.Deaf children are often excluded from mainstream sports activities because clubs fail to consider their needs and find out how they could make their club accessible.For deaf children, the communication barrier can make football clubs intimidating environments, denying them the same opportunities as other children to take part.

NDCS has been working with clubs all over the UK to teach them the simple steps they can take to make their clubs accessible and encourage local deaf children to join.Big name clubs such as Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC have signed up to the NDCS's Deaf Friendly Football Club Pledge to make football accessible to deaf children, alongside small, local clubs.

The NDCS Deaf Friendly FC Project was set up in 2007 with the help of a grant from the UK's largest sports charity, the Football Foundation (FF). An additional grant of £129,623 has been awarded by the FF, and the Football Association has also provided £10,000 towards continuing the project in 2010-2011.

If you would like to receive further information on the Deaf /Hearing Impaired sessions please contact Karl White on 01908 622938 / 07595280612 or karl.white@mkdonsset.com.