Deaf News: Deaf swimmer calls for Government funding for deaf athletes

A deaf athlete, ranked fifth in the world at this year’s World Deaf Swimming Championships, has launched a petition calling on the Government to fund deaf British athletes in the same way as hearing players.

Nathan Young, from Wirral, received no financial support from the state to attend the championships, meaning the 20-year-old had to raise £5,000 to cover his costs.

Speaking to the Wirral Globe, Nathan said: “No support or funding has meant that I have had to raise the funds myself alongside my intense training schedule.

“The recent coverage of the World Para Swimming Championships in London highlighted the lack of exposure for deaf swimming.

“My goal is for deaf athletes to receive the same acknowledgement, funding and support as Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

Other deaf sports have also faced issues in recent years, with the deaf women’s football team having to fundraise in order to secure their place in the Deaflympics in 2015.

The team’s spot in the games was eventually secured, with Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland and Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock amongst those pledging support.

The petition has over 620 signatures at the time of writing, with 10,000 needed for an official government response.

The petition can be found on the UK Parliament website.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.