Thomasson Memorial School is a day school for deaf children, which provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for students aged 2-16 years. As a Destination Deaflympics provider they applied to deliver a Have a Go Day in partnership with Manchester Deaf Centre.
Between them they wanted to raise awareness of the Deaflympic Games and support young participants to try out Deaflympic sports.
The Have a Go Day fund was launched by UK Deaf Sport as part of their Destination Deaflympics programme. Subscribers who were already delivering Destination Deaflympics activities were able to apply for funding to provide an event which gave deaf young people a chance to come together and enjoy physical activity.
Inspirational and Aspirational
The school and centre submitted a funding plan for the day, which involved inviting three aspirational deaf role-models to interact with the deaf young people and inspire them to be more active.
Nathan Young, who competed in swimming in the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, was one of the role-models who attended. He taught the pupils dry land swim techniques which they can continue to practise in the pool.
There was also the opportunity for the pupils to use Destination Deaflympics activity cards to focus on their balance, strength and coordination, employing techniques from running and bowling.
The Have a Go Day was important for providing youngsters with the chance to learn games and make friends. But additionally, interaction with the athletes also showed them that deafness doesn’t prevent participation in sport and barriers can be overcome.
The outcomes
Destination Deaflympics and the Have a Go Day events are designed to have a long-term impact on the lives of the young people who take part.
13 deaf young people took part in the Have a Go Day with Thomasson Memorial School and Manchester Deaf Centre. Their families rated the event as good and said they would come again.
One 10-year-old in particular was highly engaged with all the session. They confidently used British Sign Language (BSL) and the interpreter to ask Nathan Young about his sporting career.
During the event the young people and their families were also signposted to further inclusive sporting events in the local area.
How to be a Part of Delivering Destination Deaflympics
There are currently 50,000 deaf children in the UK (National Deaf Children’s Society). For children who are less active, 43% of deaf children participate in no physical activity at all compared to 26% of children with no disability (Sport England, Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, 2024).
UK Deaf Sport’s vision is for every deaf person to be active and inspired by sport and physical activity. The Destination Deaflympics programme creates just those opportunities for deaf young people aged8-16 years, allowing them to try out new activities with friends and learn about the Deaflympics Games.
If you are a UK based deaf school, deaf resource base, deaf community or sports club, or an organisation engaging with deaf 8–16 year olds, you can learn more and sign up for free on our Destination Deaflympics page.
Have a Go Day Funding
Have a Go Fun Day funding is open to those already delivering Destination Deaflympics activities through the postal packs. You can learn more about the funding and read other case studies here.
If you are already a subscriber to the Destination Deaflympics programme you are likely to be eligible for Have a Go Day Funding.*
Learn more and apply by contacting Becky Price on becky.price@ukds.org.uk.
*Only postal pack subscribers are eligible for Have a Go Day funding.