The project is the result of a partnership between Glasgow City Council, the Sports Council for Glasgow, Deaf Connections, West of Scotland Deaf Children’s Society, National Deaf Children’s Society (Scotland) and the Scottish Deaf Association.

The project has obtained a three-year funding package from the Big Lottery’s Active Futures Project, which is aimed at the 17 - 24 age group, the age that most people drop out of sport. The funding supports the employment of a project co-ordinator.

As part of this project, a new Deaf Community Sports Club has been formed which meets every Tuesday (4 - 6pm) at Gorbals Leisure Centre. It is hoped that this club will be successful in promoting those who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing them with a comfortable and social environment in which to participate in sport.

Coaching and support in badminton, circuit training, football and swimming is provided by Glasgow City Council coaching and sports development staff. A key target of the project is to train club members so that the city’s deaf community will have its own supply of leaders and coaches to assist and encourage other deaf people to lead a more physically active lifestyle.

The project will also help to strengthen the existing network of deaf sports clubs in the city, and further information on the project is available from www.deafconnections.co.uk.

Bailie Gordon Matheson said: "This project is fantastic news for a city already known for its outstanding commitment to sport. Young deaf people in Glasgow can now fully develop their potential in sport, with all the health and social benefits that this brings."