Miss-Delectable
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Islington Gazette - Funding blow for deaf football star
A TALENTED deaf footballer from Islington fears his once in a lifetime chance to represent his country will be cruelly snatched away.
Matthew Byfield, from King's Cross, was selected to represent Great Britain Deaf Football in their attempt to defend their world champions crown at the 21st Deaflympics in September.
The 22-year-old's dreams came true with the chance to play for his country - but those dreams may now be shattered after UK Sport denied UK Deaf Sport the funding to take athletes to the games in Taiwan.
Matthew and his teammates now each have to raise £3,000 just to get to the competition, a mountain that may prove impossible to climb.
"My heart sank when I found out, there is so much effort to publicise the Olympics and Paralympics, but they choose to ignore the Deaflympics despite our athletes training at the highest standards," said Matthew.
"I've not managed to raise the money yet because I, like many of us in the UK with the current economic climate, am suffering serious financial difficulties.
"I feel let down by UK Sport because they haven't tried everything possible to help our dreams come true. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for most players, but they have chosen to go down the easy route and ignore us."
The GB Deaf team took gold after their spectacular 2-1 win over Iran in the final at the 20th Games in Australia four years ago.
Even then players had to raise half the cost themselves, with the rest coming from the government through UK Sport.
Now even that avenue of support has been cut off. While billions are poured into the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, Matthew and his team-mates will recieve nothing.
A letter from UK Sport to UK Deaf Sport said the decisions to withdraw funding 'have not been made lightly', but were part of several tough choices that had to be made under their 'No Compromise' strategy. UK Deaf Sport are appealing against the decision, which was made earlier this year.
"People ask us why we are not in the Paralympics, but they have to realise that we do not have a physical disability - only sensory - and there is no catagory in the Paralympics that will accommodate us," added Matthew.
"We try not to let our financial woes affect us. We train hard, and you start to smile because you're living the dream, but when it stops most of us worry about how we are going to raise the money. It would be a nightmare if I don't get to the Deaflympics. It's every player's dream to represent their country. We won't get support until we are widely recognised as elite athletes, but even when those up top choose to ignore us, I'll never give up on football, I'll keep playing until my legs tell me otherwise!"
n To support Matthew visit Justgiving - Matthew Byfield's Fundraising Page or to sponsor the GB men and women's football at the Deaflympics visit Justgiving - GB Football's Just Giving page.
A TALENTED deaf footballer from Islington fears his once in a lifetime chance to represent his country will be cruelly snatched away.
Matthew Byfield, from King's Cross, was selected to represent Great Britain Deaf Football in their attempt to defend their world champions crown at the 21st Deaflympics in September.
The 22-year-old's dreams came true with the chance to play for his country - but those dreams may now be shattered after UK Sport denied UK Deaf Sport the funding to take athletes to the games in Taiwan.
Matthew and his teammates now each have to raise £3,000 just to get to the competition, a mountain that may prove impossible to climb.
"My heart sank when I found out, there is so much effort to publicise the Olympics and Paralympics, but they choose to ignore the Deaflympics despite our athletes training at the highest standards," said Matthew.
"I've not managed to raise the money yet because I, like many of us in the UK with the current economic climate, am suffering serious financial difficulties.
"I feel let down by UK Sport because they haven't tried everything possible to help our dreams come true. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for most players, but they have chosen to go down the easy route and ignore us."
The GB Deaf team took gold after their spectacular 2-1 win over Iran in the final at the 20th Games in Australia four years ago.
Even then players had to raise half the cost themselves, with the rest coming from the government through UK Sport.
Now even that avenue of support has been cut off. While billions are poured into the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, Matthew and his team-mates will recieve nothing.
A letter from UK Sport to UK Deaf Sport said the decisions to withdraw funding 'have not been made lightly', but were part of several tough choices that had to be made under their 'No Compromise' strategy. UK Deaf Sport are appealing against the decision, which was made earlier this year.
"People ask us why we are not in the Paralympics, but they have to realise that we do not have a physical disability - only sensory - and there is no catagory in the Paralympics that will accommodate us," added Matthew.
"We try not to let our financial woes affect us. We train hard, and you start to smile because you're living the dream, but when it stops most of us worry about how we are going to raise the money. It would be a nightmare if I don't get to the Deaflympics. It's every player's dream to represent their country. We won't get support until we are widely recognised as elite athletes, but even when those up top choose to ignore us, I'll never give up on football, I'll keep playing until my legs tell me otherwise!"
n To support Matthew visit Justgiving - Matthew Byfield's Fundraising Page or to sponsor the GB men and women's football at the Deaflympics visit Justgiving - GB Football's Just Giving page.