England Handball archive Issue 1 September 2013 | Page 6

6

PASS IT ON!

‘I

‘m not a deaf musician, I’m a musician who happens to be deaf.’ A quote from worldrenowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, who wrote an essay 20 years ago in which she admitted that ‘if the audience is only wondering how a deaf musician can play percussion, then I have failed as a musician.’ There are parallels in all walks of life, and for deaf coaches across all sports, the issue is no di?erent. Change the word ‘musician’ for ‘coach’, and Glennie’s quote still stands for many. Memnos Costi is a UEFA ‘B’ licensed football coach. He also just happens to

be deaf. His is an impressive pedigree that includes coaching St John’s Deaf FC for the past 15 years, during which they have won the British Deaf Cup seven times and the Deaf Champions League seven times in a row. In addition, he coached the British women’s team before the Dea?ympics, as well as Cyprus’ deaf football team. There have undoubtedly been barriers along the way. He likes to say: ‘In the

ND OU CH S A A O “ PR AP
deaf world, there are no barriers, I am free to ?y’, before adding of his ongoing coaching progress: ‘In a hearing world, it’s much harder.’ He says: ‘There are no real opportunities for a deaf coach. Professional and semi-professional

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