From Futsal to Football
Walford and North Shropshire College, National Diploma in Sport Student, Katie Edwards has recently returned from representing her country in the European Deaf Futsal Tournament in Switzerland, where she played alongside thirteen teams form other countries in a knockout tournament. Futsal is a form of indoor football, which Katie Describes as “at least as difficult as football.” Her team played six matches against Sweden, Poland and Norway just missing out on a bronze medal by achieving fourth place.
Eighteen year old Katie, who also plays left midfield for AFC (Amateur Football Club) Telford United Ladies first team, has now been chosen to represent Great Britain Deaf Women’s Football in the European Deaf Women Football Championships. This is specifically for deaf and hard of hearing female footballers. These games will be held in Bulgaria, in June this year and in order to attend Katie needs to raise a total of £1,500. Click to view
She says “unlike the London Olympics, all of the government funding to UK Deaf Sport has been stopped and, in order to take part in the European Championships the participants now need to cover all the associated costs themselves. These costs include flights, other transport, accommodation, kit and food.”
Sport is hugely important to Katie and other deaf and hard of hearing athletes who are capable of achieving excellent standards in this area. “Football helped me develop my confidence, social ability and a ‘can do’ attitude.” She says. “Progressing and excelling at my sport has given me this wonderful opportunity to represent my country at the Europeans. For me it is a dream opportunity and I would loathe to miss it.”
Ade Humphreys, her lecturer on the Sports National Diploma, says “Katie has fitted in really well. At first, I think she was a little concerned that her hearing difficulty might prove a problem but actually it didn’t. She has increased in confidence over the time she has been here and shows real ability in practical lessons, especially in football where she exhibits great determination to succeed. The boys on the course, who are all football mad, are really impressed with her ability.”
Emma Lloyd, student finance officer for Walford and North Shropshire College says “The College is able provide her with a Gifted and Talented Bursary. This is an award of £150 which is available to students who attain high achievement in sport, music and the arts”
Despite a huge amount of time being dedicated to football training and practise Katie has already written to many businesses and organisations. She is rallying the help of family and friends and trying to come up with other ideas to help her raise the money, but she has a lot of money to raise and she needs your help. View Katie in England kit
Katie is asking people to consider making a donation either by popping into reception at the Oswestry campus, or contacting her directly on 01939 233334 or making a cheque payable to UK Deaf Sport, her National Sports Governing Body. This is a registered charity, which will reallocate the funds to enable her to make the trip. Please highlight who you are supporting and send the cheque to UK Deaf Sport, C/O Deaf Direct, The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH.
For more information on courses at Walford and North Shropshire College please visit our website atwww.wnsc.ac.uk or telephone 01691 688 000
