The Edinburgh Reporter sends our congratulations to the Edinburgh South Hibs Deaf FC under-12′s who, last weekend not only became the first ever team from Scotland to take part in the National Deaf Children’s Society’s 5-a-side competition but came home with the trophy.
The team consisting of Cameron, Alfie, Harry, Sean and Owen proudly wore the donated new ‘old-stock’ Hibs’ kit, and took the tournament by storm, beating Derby County 4-2, Morecombe 5-1, Leeds United 8-0, Bolton Wanderers 5-1, Derby A 8-2 and Cardiff City 8-3 to reach the final where they beat Derby A 2-1 to secure the cup.
A delighted coach Simon Spence told the Edinburgh Reporter: “We are the first Scottish team to take part on the tournament. The trip was funded by the East of Scotland Deaf Society for Children who paid for the transport which was provided by ASA Coaches and accommodation at the Holiday Inn for the players, myself and fellow coach Kevin Leslie, and I would also like to thanks the Hibernian Community Foundation for donating football strips.
“We travelled down on Saturday and I was just hoping to do well, but the players performed brilliantly and we beat everybody to lift the trophy. Football for deaf youngsters is huge in England so that made winning even more special. Since then we have been invited to take part in another tournament organised by Bolton Wanderers later this year.
“The teams are made up of deaf children as well as their siblings. We train on the third Saturday of every month at the World of Football in Chesser. Willie Kirk of Hibs kindly sends a coach, Paul Doig to help coach the youngsters. In November, Olivia, a 13 year old girl came to one session and was immediately signed up for Hibs and was part of the Under 15 team who won the Scottish Cup. I recently found out that she has been selected for Great Britain trials.
“I am also involved with the Edinburgh South Soccer School which is a deaf friendly club for 5-8 year olds who train between 10-11am on a Saturday morning at Inch Park.
“I am looking for more players, so if anyone is interested they should contact me on syspence9@gmail.com
“I am also looking funding and a sponsor for the team, and anyone interested should contact me on the email provided.”
Volunteer Glenn Milne from the Hibernian Community Foundation told the Edinburgh Reporter: “We were delighted when Simon contacted us and asked for our support, as we have tried to allocate our charity complimentary match tickets to similar groups throughout East Central Scotland this season.
“Donating a selection of new ‘old-stock’ kit to help the group was an honour, and we were delighted that the team did so well. Being the first Scottish team to play in and become the UK champions against such quality opposition is an achievement that deserves recognition at the highest level.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
on sunday 22 of march we will be going on the pich
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