For a majority of footballers, the big dream is always to represent their nation in a major tournament. Whether it be the World Cup, the Euros, the Asian Cup or the Olympics, most would consider having the privilege to step foot out on the pitch with their country’s badge embroidered on their chest a true highlight. For five nations, a dream is about to become reality as the stage is set for the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo.
Since its inception in 1924, the Deaflympics have become the testament of international competition for deaf and hard of hearing athletes, and despite a lot of adversity, women’s football is no exception to this. On 15th November, at 12pm JST, four of the five competing teams will kick off the tournament, with hosts Japan taking on USA, and Great Britain fighting it out against Australia. Kenya will join the mix on matchday two, as they open their campaign against the home side.
The United States go into the tournament as defending champions and overwhelming favourites, having secured three Deaf Football Championship and Four Deaflympic titles since their establishment in 2005. The North American side is also the only nation in the women’s competition to be fully supported by their official football governing body, having joined the US Soccer Extended National Team setup in 2022, following years of major success.
As hosts of the games, Japan looks to pave the way for the future of deaf football. Without as much need to fund travel compared to the other squads, the team turned their attention to crowdfunding for full live broadcasting, a cost that is the standard in non-disabled variations of the game, but often forgotten about in less funded categories. The Japanese Deaf Football Association met their target goal on the 10th of November, and were able to set up streams for all the matches across both men’s and women’s football, making the sport more accessible than ever.
The Australian Deaf Football Team, the Deaf Koalas, are about to kick off their first international tournament campaign in over 20 years. The Deaflympics marks the maiden tournament for the entire squad, and it’s a significant push forward for deaf football in the country, as the Koalas finally get their chance to show the world exactly what they are made of.
Team Great Britain’s road to the Deaflympics wasn’t an easy one, with a lack of funds forcing the community to come together to raise £176,000. Fortunately, through the power of social media and said community, the team found the funds to get themselves over to Japan, including a £10,000 boost from Lionesses defender Lucy Bronze, which supplied the squad with training kits and additional equipment.
Great Britain weren’t the only ones at risk of missing out, as Kenya’s Deaf Harambee Starlets also sought out the need to fulfil major gaps in funding. There needed to be a minimum of five teams competing at the games for women’s football to remain an event, so Kenya’s participation was crucial. A desperate last plea merely six days before they were due to fly to Tokyo deemed the right choice, as they managed to scrape up the funds they needed to compete.
Women’s football in this year’s Deaflympics is one that promises togetherness, community and a drive to make the game a better place for all. A side of football that is often swept under the rug has had to climb mountains to get where it is today, women’s deaf football is now getting the visibility it deserves
Watch the games on the JDFA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jdfa3886/streams
