Interview with deaf British footballer Claire Stancliffe: “They don’t support deaf athletes. That is not equality.”

(Moulton College)

In the past few weeks sports fans in this country have witnessed feats by those whose lives have been forced down a path others could barely imagine. The heroes of the Paralympic Games were given one final farewell at the closing ceremony last Sunday and joined their Olympic companions at a victory parade the following day to maintain the feel good factor currently sweeping the nation.

However, in a little more than seven days time, one sport that could potentially bring home more medals, could have its hopes dashed a year before competing.

Claire Stancliffe plays for Great Britain’s Women’s Deaf Football team and along with her team-mates she is hoping to raise enough money to feature at next year’s Deaflympics in Bulgaria.

In 2008 UK Sport, the nation’s high performance sports agency which invests in the Olympics and Paralympics, declared that the Deaflympics would not join the Olympics and Paralympics in its seven-year funding plan. This decision has left Britain’s Women’s Deaf Football team in a difficult position. Unless they raise £15,000, they risk missing out on a tournament that could be vital to the promotion of Deaf Football in this country. They have raised some of the amount but need to raise the remainder by September 21^st.

“I couldn’t even describe how disappointed we would be, heartbroken and distraught springs to mind,” explains Claire. “So many people and the government talk about equality but the fact is they don’t support deaf athletes. That is not equality.”

She goes on to say: “It [promotion] could change deaf football for the better. People will become more aware, more players would come through the systems and I am sure there will be more support. But it shouldn’t be that way. We should have support now.”

The battle against the clock, in the hopes of competing at a prestigious event, doesn’t fit in with the summer of sport that Britain has just enjoyed. Having declared ourselves proud of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and wished it luck in Rio, the thought of one of Britain’s medal prospects for the Deaflympics not receiving any official support would shock many.

The feeling of being outsiders within your own country is one that is quickly setting in for Britain’s deaf women footballers, who have even been rebuffed by Adidas when requesting help with their team wear. Receiving little or no support from any official governing bodies highlights the problems facing Claire and her team-mates.

But the repercussions of not being able to play next year in Bulgaria could be even more fatal. “If we can’t go we would get fined, which would be the deposit each player has paid up to this point, so basically the players who are paying to represent their country would effectively be paying a massive fine. It could potentially destroy the team.”

Whilst speaking to Claire there remains a positive attitude that the team can raise the money needed to feature in Bulgaria next year. It’s an attribute that has to be admired in the face of many obstacles preventing them from achieving their dream. Asked what she wanted from the relevant governing bodies, Claire’s response is one that draws light on the problems that still remain. “I just wish they would treat us equally to the Olympians.”

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• Swazibrit

  Re: Jim Stretch
  The real issue is the treatment of Deaf people. We were involved in the paralympics – just see the opening and closing ceremonies. But more media coverage (and money) is given to gerbils being “cured” of their deafness than the Deaf people who participated in the paralympics. Yes – some Deaf people aren’t very open-minded, but like everyone else, there’s a vast majority of Deaf people who just want to be able to get on with their lives on an equal basis and that’s being denied. Claire is absolutely right to raise this issue – why out of all the “disabilities” being praised and venerated to the skies, (and supported) are Deaf people being excluded?

• Claire Stancliffe

  Hi problem with interpreters being volunteers, it takes over 6 years to become qualified to a good standard of sign language. The host country for example Brazil, may not have interpreters that cater for all different types of sign language. If they don’t then the country themselves would have to pay? It is very complicated.

  Olympians/Paralympiams did not pay a penny for the Olympics/Paralympics London 2012 apparently. Yes they may have paid for training leading up to it, but we are not asking for our training to be paid for. They also got all their kit for free, we offered Adidas to pay for the kit but they still refused. Also when UK sport are now paying £125million to train GB athletes for Rio, when all we need is £500,000 it’s hard for us. We feel like we have been shoved to the side and we are not worthy.

  I hope people don’t take any offence as most of it is facts apart from the opinion of equality which most people have agreed with. But everyone is allowed their opinion. You raised some valid points and I hope I cleared them up for you?
  Thanks

• Guest

  Thank you for your response.
  I have been trying to find out if GB deaf or Deaflympics has done any fundraising or will be doing any as this will help your team’s profile in a positive light. Do you know of any such events? Another thing, host countries have their own languages. Any foreign competitor going to compete in a foreign land with an entirely foreign language – are they catered for in terms of translators? Is one assigned to them, everywhere they go? Who once again are most likely to be volunteers helping to ‘make the games’. To just be a part of it. I am sure competitors have a friend(s) / family member who can sign and would be honoured to help out? If a foreign national is taking their own interpreter (own language) or using the host countries interpreters, won’t one still have the language barrier?
  Thank you, for your time and patience.

• Claire Stancliffe

  Hi

  Because we only have a short time to raise the deposit, it hasn’t been possible to organise an event. We have just been having to ask around for donations. But something we are looking into to raise money

  Yes that’s right, it’s the complete same process as hearing but the countries pay for the translator. We have to pay for everything ourselves, all the costs add up unfortunately.

  Again with the friends/family members, they have to pay for flights, accommodation, food etc for nearly 3 weeks. Plus they have to take time off work. It’s very difficult. Also international sign language is well used at international deaf events but many athletes don’t know this. So each team/athlete will need an interpreter to help them.

  Great points though so thank you

• Guest

  Great, I shall look forwards to the fundraising events. I also hope GB deaf or the deaflympics and the Paralympics will re-enter talks and be able to compromise. There will be refusals, requests but there is no harm in compromsing to produce inspirations for the future. Everyone deserves a chance to shine and have their moments of glory.