Worthing Table Tennis Club in Sussex is an inclusive and accessible club which has attracted deaf adult members. As a subscriber to the Destination Deaflympics programme they applied for Have a Go Day funding to attract more deaf young players.
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 inspired by Deaflympic sport.
Learning for all
The club already offered adaptive scoring equipment and a volunteer British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, but it wanted to learn more about how it could support deaf young people. At the same time, it was keen to raise the profile of its offering to deaf young people in the local area.
The Have a Go Day funding allowed staff to run this event with a full focus on their deaf members and prospective members.
Eight deaf children took part, enjoying a range of exercises which introduced them to basic hand/eye coordination and bat and ball skills. A game circuit included activities such as balancing the ball on the bat, knocking down cups and keeping up a rally.
The outcomes
Destination Deaflympics programme events all have the long-term aim of continued participation in sport and activity for deaf young people. Here in Sussex success was demonstrated quickly by the fact one child simply didn’t want to go home!
Worthing Table Tennis club are looking forward to taking their learning from the day forward by improving communication to ensure inclusivity at all sessions. They also plan to design more varied and creative ways to introduce children to table tennis. This will all be put into practice at the next event they are planning for 2026!
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. Their Destination Deaflympics programme creates just those opportunities for deaf young people aged 8-16 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.