Deaf team triumphs in nationwide ‘One Game, One Community’ initiative

The winning Rochdale Deaf Rhinos team.

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Young deaf people from Rochdale and Oldham joined one of sport’s most prominent campaigns by taking part in Kick It Out’s 'One Game One Community' week in October, to promote community cohesion and tackle social exclusion.

Rochdale Rhinos Deaf FC, in partnership with BASA and Oldham Deaf Diverse Community, organised a football tournament to promote deaf football and the deaf community. The event was funded by the 'One Game One Community' grant from Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion campaign, and the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity. The project was part of 1000 events taking place across the country during mid-October.

The 7-a-side tournament, held at Hopwood Hall College Sports Park, was a great success, enjoyed by more than 100 people, players and supporters, hearing and deaf, from different communities. The tournament had 10 hearing teams and two teams representing the Rochdale Deaf Rhinos.

The tournament was competitive and played in a great spirit, with the Deaf Rhinos recovering from a loss in their opening group game to win the tournament, beating the favourites 1-0 in an exciting final.

Dewan Choudhury, Manager of Deaf Rhinos FC, said: “The event was all about community cohesion and there was a lot of friendly banter and intermingling between the hearing and deaf players throughout the day. The deaf lads showed a lot of skill and great teamwork in winning the tournament and the admiration of all present. They did the deaf community proud through their sociable conduct as well as their success.”

Piara Powar, Director of Kick It Out, said: “It’s great to see groups across the country embracing the ‘One Game, One Community’ message in a variety of different ways. Rochdale Rhinos Deaf FC is a great project and we’re particularly pleased to be funding ideas from groups that will benefit people from all backgrounds, in different communities across the country.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is another imaginative way in which community groups are using Football Foundation and Kick It Out funding. Rochdale Rhinos Deaf FC is one we wholeheartedly support. The weeks of action provide the perfect platform to celebrate the diversity in cities and towns across the country and to highlight the role football plays in this.”

If you are deaf or hearing impaired and would like to get involved please contact: Dewan Choudhury (Deaf Rhinos FC) on 07980041772 or Anjum Raza (Oldham Deaf Diverse Community) on 07973236171.