BDS History

British Deaf Sports Council (BDSC) was founded in 1930, with the aim of organising competitors to participate in the World Games for the Deaf (now known as DEAFLYMPIC), and therefore it is Britain’s oldest national sports organisation for a disabled group.

In its hey days, there were 120 clubs and 8,500 members that engage in sporting activity, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and now has over 2000 members in nine regions.

The BDSC’s initial aims have widened, and its main objective is the relief of disability by ensuring that sports and leisure opportunities are available for deaf people in parity with their hearing contemporaries.

COMPETITIONS

The BDSC organises inter-club leagues, inter-regional tournaments, and national championships which are held on a regular basis, European competitions are increasing in popularity, and friendly internationals are held whenever finance permits.

Naturally, the Deaflympic are the highlight of the sporting calendar, and since their inception (World Games for Deaf) in 1924, Britain has entered a team, and through links with the International Committee for Silent Sports (CISS), goodwill and friendship has been extended throughout the world.

The Deaflympic -both Summer and Winter – are the equilvalent of the Olympics and are officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The BDSC’s record in these games is extremely good, and they have held third place at Los Angeles and Christchurch, New Zealand.

The BDSC, with exception of part-time Assistant in Head Office at Otley, is managed and run by voluntary workers. Almost all the people involved, from the smallest sub-committee to the top officials are deaf.

Because communication is a problem when negotiating with hearing world, British Sign Language Interpreters have to be engaged. This is particularly important when top class coaching is desired by the members.

Professional coaching is a must if we are to develop and keep pace with increasing standards.

The BDSC is dependent on grants, donations and proceeds from its own activities.

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