Our Mission: To develop the social and community benefits of Deaf/Hard of Hearing participation at grassroots, club, national levels and potential athletes to take part in competitions at a competitive level.

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Opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 9am to 5.30pm Friday: 9am to 4pm __________________ Executive Committee: President: Kevin Lynch V-President: Gerald Dunne Secretary: Eoin Nolan Treasurer: Donal Desmond Connacht: Ann O’Neill Munster: John Heenan Leinster: Kevin Stanley Ulster: Michael Johnston

Inside this issue:

September/October 2012 Volume 1, Issue 1

E-Newsletter

Ireland triumph over Germany in

Deaflympics Qualifier

The Big Move to Deaf Village Ireland!

President’s Message 2

Sport Development Officer 2

Germany v Ireland Match 3

Deaf Village Ireland 4

Inspire Fitness Centre 5

2013 Deaflympics 6

DSI Website 6

9th World Deaf Golf 7

LDSC Open Badminton 7

Other News 8

Development News 9

Development News 10

Development News 11

Forthcoming DSI Event 12

Activities & Deaf Clubs News

13

Join DSI Membership 13

Welcome to the first issue of Deaf Sports Ireland Newsletter. I hope it will be the first of many more to come! To celebrate the launch of the newsletter, we have a bumper edition for you containing many reports on various sport activities in the Deaf Village Ireland complex as well as around the country. I wish to congratulate our DSI Administrator and Sports Development Officer, Paul Ryder and Ciarán Moloney, our new editor, for producing this newsletter which I hope you will agree makes for such an interesting read!

As DSI is fortunate to be based right in the midst of Sports activities in DVI, we have been quite busy with organising so many sports events and workshops – Badminton, basketball, water polo, futsal, foot-

ball, swimming, gym and many more. The Deaf community is very lucky to be able to avail of such wonderful facilities in DVI and on its campus.

With Inspire Fitness Centre in DVI offering a special gym membership rate exclusively for DVI members, we have seen a dra-matic surge in the numbers signing up to DSI membership – In one month alone, we saw at least 200 new members signing up with us! It is heartening to see our membership count prosper and expand!

I am pleased to announce that DSI plan to hold a workshop titled “Women In Sports”. The aim of the workshop is get feedback from sportswomen along with clubs/organisations and learn what DSI can do to encourage more women to get involved in sports. We also have plans in the pipeline to organise exciting new sports events over the next few months as such as orienteering, ar-chery, pitch & putt, tennis etc. as part of our “Come & Try New Sports” campaign.

On behalf of DSI, I would like to take this opportunity to proudly congratulate the Irish Deaf football team for qualifying for the 2013 Deaflympics games in Sofia, Bulgaria after they defeated Germany last month! The 22nd Deaflympics games will run from 23rd July to 4th August 2013.

Last but not least, I would also like to congratulate our Secretary, Eoin Nolan, who merited the “Sportsperson” Award at the Irish Deaf Society/ Hidden Hearing Awards last month.

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Administrator/Sport Development Officer Paul Ryder’s report

President’s Message

It gives me great pleasure to write my first report for this newsletter. As the DSI administrator/Sports Develop-ment Officer, I have been very busy over the last two months. My duties were many but at the same time very much rewarding!

The past couple of months I have worked in close liaison with various Deaf sports clubs and also the manager of Inspire Fitness Centre Cabra (IFCC) to ensure that all the clubs were able to avail of the facilities at Deaf Village Ireland.

I am delighted to announce that DSI have implemented a sports development activity programme which includes regular badminton practise for various ages every Monday evening. We have also set up a badminton and swimming programme for schoolboys and schoolgirls. The sports development activity programme is an on-going process and we hope to add different sports to it in the future.

Recently I travelled to Hannover in Germany to serve as the Technical Director for the Football team as they took on Germany in a Deaflympics qualifying match. It was terrific to witness the memorable feat of a great Irish win after beating Germany on penalties! I would like to congratulate all those involved for such a memorable achievement, they all proved themselves a credit to DSI and to their country.

Another event of note was the Leinster Deaf Badminton Championship which took place recently in Baldoyle, Dublin. Observing such a well organised tournament pleased me immensely and so I'd like to congratulate the organisers for what was a very successful and enjoyable championship!

As part of our 2011-2013 strategic plan, we have recently changed our membership system to improve the sustainability of our organisation. The new membership system offers many benefits to all members who will be given exclusive access to all our information and news before it goes out into the public domain. Members will also receive priority for tickets to rugby/soccer matches held at the Aviva Stadium. Other benefits also include a membership card which entitles our members to avail of discounts for IFCC gym membership as well as to events and activities promoted by DSI. Membership cards will be sent out by post next week to those who have signed up to the new membership system.

The next two months, November and December, looks set to be a very busy time for DSI. On the 6 th November, I will be representing DSI at the European Deaf Sports Organisation workshop which will be held over the course of a few days in Ankara, Turkey. Along with the “Women in Sports” workshop for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, we will be hosting a training weekend for me mbers of the DSI Executive Committee, Regional Council Committee and also for the Sports Technical Directors. In conjunction with the Football Association of Ireland, DSI have organised a Kickstart 1 coaching course on Saturday 8 th December. DSI will also be hosting the 1st Men & 11th ladies Futsal Inter Provincial Championships on the 18th November in Ballymun, Dublin.

On a final note, I wish to congratulate our secretary, Eoin Nolan, on being awarded the 2012 Hidden Hearing “Sportsperson of the year” award. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Justin Smith & Conor O'Beirne for volunteering their help in the office over the past two months. I hope that they have gained valuable knowledge from working in DSI that could go on to serve them well in the future!

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The Ireland Men’s Deaf Football team qualified for next summer’s Deaflympics in Bulgaria with a shock victory over a hotly fancied German team in Hannover on 29th September. The result was sealed in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win when the game finished 1-1 after extra time. This was a true ‘against the odds’ victory for the Irish warriors, overcoming a slow start when they went behind and being reduced to 10 men but the players showed tremendous belief and character to secure a famous success.

Ireland opened nervously as Germany controlled the initial stages knocking the ball around with confidence and a series of long passes caused difficulty within the Irish rear-guard. Germany had threatened to score on several occasions before they took the lead in the 40th minute, although the Irish also had chances of their own in the first period with Jonathan Cosgrave twice forcing great saves from the German keeper and Richard Dougherty finding the side netting from Andrew Wynne’s teasing cross. Ireland were relieved however to only go in at the break 1-0 in arrears.

Some stern words at half time allied to tactical switches and it was a rejuvenated Ireland that started the second half. Suddenly Germany were on the back foot as Ireland dominated possession and poured forward in numbers. The German goal led a charmed life as Cosgrave hit the post from close range and had a goal disallowed while Bobby McAra, Eamon Byrne and Dougherty had stonewall penalty appeals turned around. The Irish were playing with true flair and passion now and the equaliser was only a matter of time in arriving, Mark Sinclair did brilliantly on the left flank evading two German defenders and crossing for Andrew Wynne to hammer the ball home at full stretch from 8 yards out on the hour mark for 1-1. Ireland continued to dominate before yet another controversial refereeing decision saw them reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute. A German forward collided with Roy McKee in an innocent looking exchange but a second yellow card was produced to add difficulty to the Irish task and with superiority of numbers Germany came back into the game. Ireland defended well to see out the 90 minutes and the additional 30 minutes of extra time, every player battling as though their lives depended on it.

Ireland approached the penalty shootout with confidence; Wynne rattled home the first penalty which was followed by textbook kicks from Darren Dunne, Bobby McAra and Mark Sinclair. Keeper Roy Keating produced an excellent save from the second German penalty so it was left to Noel O’ Donnell to claim the glory hammering home Ireland’s fifth successful spot kick into the bottom corner of the net to spark the wildest of celebrations among the Irish players and fans.

This was a true team effort and Ireland had heroes all over the park. Roy Keating produced a number of vital saves including his shootout heroics, while the often over-worked back four of McAra, O’Donnell, McKee and Stuart Foy were simply outstanding. Barry Campbell battled well in the first half before being sacrificed for a

more attacking formation with Eamon Byrne making a telling impact and being unlucky not to score. Dougherty went from strength to strength as the game progressed with Andrew Wynne narrowly edging Darren Dunne to the ‘man of the match’ award, after both returned fantastic performances. Jonathan Cosgrave was brilliant at all times working his socks off for the good of the team while substitutes Mark Sinclair and Eoin Burns both played vital roles in the team’s success, covering a huge amount of ground. Unused substitutes Stephen Millar, Michael Walsh and Kevin Dudley contributed greatly to the positive morale of the trip and all will be key players in the future.

Assistant manager Geoffrey Foy admitted he was ‘shattered’ after the game. ‘There was everything out there today’ he remarked, ‘it was an emotional roller coaster but the lads kept battling, they turned things around and they never gave up. I am immensely proud of each and every one of them and we are all proud Irishmen tonight’.

The team would like to thank Deaf Sports Ireland for supporting the squad and also to FAI for their tremendous support for Deaf/Disability football. Bewley’s Dublin Airport hotel deserve special mention for sponsoring the team and thanks is also extended to coaches Jamie Wilson and Reggie Dornan, Martin Clenaghan from Fusion Physio Belfast and also Belfast City Council. The team are also grateful for all the messages of goodwill from supporters back home and already thoughts are turning to Bulgaria 2013.

Report from Thomas Coyle

Germany 1-1 Ireland, (Ireland win 5-4 on penalties)

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DSI are delighted to announce that we have moved to a new location at Deaf Village Ireland in Ratoath Road, Dublin 7, beside the St. Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys, since early August 2012.

The Deaf sports office had previously been located in Dublin Deaf Club at Drumcondra, Dublin 9 since 2001 and this move signifies opportunity to work closer with other Deaf organisations and to meet new and old people.

The objective of the Deaf Village Ireland Project is to create an environment where Deaf and Hard of Hearing people can develop, relax, play, learn, worship and be together in a centre which will support the interaction of Deaf people as a community, in an integrated way with each other the wider Irish society.

DSI Administrator/Sports Development Officer, Paul Ryder was

delighted with the move; “This is a special day for us at DSI as it is a testament of the development of sporting opportunities for competitive & non-competitive athletes who can avail of top class facilities offered by Inspire Fitness Centre Cabra (IFCC). IFCC & DSI have worked closely to provide various sporting facilities to all Deaf sport clubs and on behalf of DSI, I would like to thank the IFCC manager, Tony Keely, for all his help.”

Deaf Village Ireland

View from Ratoath Road DSI Office

Old Chapel Wing

Outside DSI Office

Atrium at Deaf Village Ireland Deaf Village Ireland

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Inspire Fitness Centre Cabra Prices:

€150 annually for DSI members. Apply to DSI for free

membership up to December 2012. This also applies to CODA (Children of Deaf Adults).

€489 annually per person or €45 per month D/D

€289 annually for staff employed by Deaf service

organisations, Deaf schools, residents, etc.

€350 per student or €35.00 per month D/D.

€100 annually for Children age 4-15 or €10 per month D/D.

€10 for a visitor with a paid up member

€3.50 for a child with a paid up member

For Saturday & Sunday only (10am to 2pm); non-member

€6.50 adult & €3.50 child

DSI is not responsible for the content of external information.

Deaf Village Ireland; Inspire Fitness Centre Cabra

Astro Pitches

The Gym

Swimming Pool

Sport Hall

DVI Entrance

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We are pleased to confirm you that the next Summer Deaflympics will be going ahead despite lot of speculation over the last 24 months. Bulgaria will host the Deaflympics in Sofia on 23rd July to 4th August 2013.

In a statement released by ICSD President, Craig Crowley, he said “In 2007, ICSD awarded the 2013 Deaflympics to Athens. But ICSD never had a government guarantee from Greece. Last year, the Athens Deaflympics were cancelled.

The Deaflympics remain ICSD's top priority. We have been working hard to replace Athens. At the last ICSD congress, Hungary presented a good plan. But the government in Hungary offered only 50% financial support. So Deaflympics in Budapest would have been too expensive for most of our athletes.

Bulgaria has also offered to host the 2013 Deaflympics, in Sofia. Sofia has many advantages. All the required venues are already in place. Bulgaria also has a great history of hosting deaf sports events. And the government is supportive and they have signed the contract in September.”

ICSD have confirmed that the sports programme for the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia are; Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Cycling, Football, Judo, Karate, Orienteering, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball and Wrestling. They are expecting a record number of competitors in these sports.

After their recent victory over Germany in the recent Deaflympics qualifying match, the Irish Men's Football Team are DSI's only confirmed Deaflympics representative at this moment in time. Athletes in other sports will be given opportunities up to until early 2013 to represent DSI in the Deaflympics next year.

2013 Summer Deaflympics

Deaf Sports Ireland’s Website

Do you know that we have set up our website; www.deafsportsireland.com. DSI brings you all the latest news, sport and other

stories.

Have a look! :)

www.deafsportsireland.com

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9th World Deaf Golf Championships Dr. John Bosco Conama’s report

A team of six golfers – one senior along with a manager travelled to Tsu Country Club in Japan to participate in the 9th World Deaf Golf Championship. The team consisted of Don Conway (Tyrone), Geoff McCormack (Dublin), Peter Dalton (Dublin), Philip Quearney (Dublin) Gary Conway (Tyrone) and Reggie Carroll (Leitrim). The manager was Dr. John Bosco Conama.

The players were chosen on an order of merit which was based on provincial championships alongside with national championships therefore they were selected on basis of their results in such championships. We had a training weekend at Roganstown Hotel and Country Club who kindly provided us the facilities for training. Roganstown was an ideal base since the course was so challenging and inspirational.

The golf course at Tsu in Japan was really tough, challenging and proved it could be unforgivable. It is reputed to be sixth most difficult course in Japan (out of 2,700 courses). So the margin for error was very slim; A slight mistake could potentially finish you off and see you out of the running for the competition. Very few players (most of them have scratch in terms of handicap) managed to score under 80. Notwithstanding this, the course was situated in beautiful settings, up in the middle of the mountains and was cleverly designed.

With regard to the Irish team, we came 8th out of nine countries that sent sufficient numbers. With respect to other teams, two of our players were injured and were still recovering when they were in Japan. Other nations brought professional

coaches and assistants to assist their golfers. The standard of golfing at this championship was quite high and required experienced golfers with very low handicaps. Having conceded such advantages to them, we were always up against it. While the team believed that under such circumstances they had acquitted themselves quite well, it was recognised that to improve on their performances, major advances were required such as more training, employing a professional coach and bringing in fresh blood in order to enhance their chances of success for the next championship which will be held in Michigan, USA.

Leinster Deaf Open Badminton Championships Kevin Stanley’s report

With 26 participants from 6 countries, the 2013 LDSC Open Badminton recently took place in Baldoyle, Dublin. 17 year old Lithuanian Ignas Reznikas won the men's singles final, beating his compatriot and Deaflympics medallist Tomas Dovydaitis with a world class performance.

Jana Havlova of Czech Republic seized the women's singles title after beating Rita Murdock from Ireland in the final. The two Lithuanian finalists who had competed against each other for the men's single title, teamed up to capture the men's doubles title, seeing off the challenges of Irishman Shane Keogh & Jesper Sondergaard of Denmark.

Jana Havlova & Irish Lynn Cullen took the women's doubles title, overcoming the Austrian pair of Patricia Resl & Martina Osanger.

Jesper Sondergaard & Jana Havolva won the mixed doubles title beating Irish pair Rita Murdock & Mervyn Dewart. It was such a great day for Leinster Deaf sports that saw some world class performances in Dublin. After giving their best against such quality international players, the standard of the Irish players continues to rise. Well done to LDSC committee for their hard work in making this possible and we would like to thank Deaf Sports Ireland, particularly Administrator and Development Officer Paul Ryder for their assistance and support. And finally we wish to thank all participants for taking part and demonstrating such competitive sportsmanship.

Irish Delegates at the

Technical Meeting

Irish Team

Mixed Doubles: Women Doubles:

Men Doubles:

Women Singles Men Singles

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Other News

DSI would like to offer hearty congratulations to our Secretary, Eoin Nolan, who received the “Sportsperson” award during the Irish Deaf Society/ Hidden Hearing Awards evening which was held at Alexander Hotel, Dublin on Monday 22nd October 2012.

Deaf since birth, Eoin has represented his country at both junior and senior levels at water polo. Regarded as one of the leading players in the country, he recently captained his club St. Vincent’s to a unique double, winning their first National League Division 1 title and the Irish Senior Cup in the same season. Eoin played a pivotal role in both campaigns, finishing top goal scorer in both competitions.”

The Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards were presented to nine Deaf or Hard of Hearing people who have made a significant contribution to Irish society, their community, workplace, family or through sporting excellence. The awards, run by Hidden Hearing and the Irish Deaf Society, were presented in various categories. Congratulations to all the winners.

Garda Vetting Officer

Since 2007 the Irish Sports Council (ISC) has commenced rolling out Garda vetting on a phased basis to National Governing Bodies. This arrangement has been approved by the Implementation Group on Garda Vetting. The Irish Sports Council is liaising with National Governing Bodies in respect of the introduction of Garda Vetting to the sector on a phased basis.

DSI enrolled Paul Ryder, our Administrator/ Sports Development Officer, in the training course at the Garda Vet-ting Unit in Thurles, Co. Tipperary and we are now pleased to say he is now the official Garda Vetting Officer for DSI.

Paul is now responsible for the vetting process within our Deaf Sport organisations. His role is to develop and implement the Code of Ethics and Garda Vetting policy over the next coming months.

Hidden Hearing Award

Hands On—Deaf TV Programme!

Recently our Administrator/Sports Development Officer, Paul Ryder was interviewed by Hands On, a TV programme for Deaf and hard of hearing people in Ireland. Paul's interview, in which he talks about Deaf Sports Ireland

and the Deaflympics next summer, will be aired on RTE One, Sunday 18th November! Make sure to make note of it in your diary!

Cycle Workshop

On Saturday 6th October, DSI Athletic TD, Steven Smith, organised a cycle work-shop for Deaf & Hard of Hearing people. Colin & Aaron from WheelWorx brought in various types of bikes to display, much to the interest of those in attendance. They also gave advice on how to buy bikes & equipment through the “Cycle to Work” scheme which covers bicycles and accessories up to a maximum cost of €1,000 and also offers savings of up to 52%.

We also had the chairperson of Dublin Cycling Campaign, Muireann O’Dea present. Muireann gave an interesting presentation about improving the campaign awareness in Dublin.

Deaf Village Ireland new Manager

DSI would like to congratulate Sylvia Nolan who was recently appointed the new DVI manager. We wish her the best of luck in her new role.

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Development News:

Page 10

Theme: To Attract Deaf/Hard of Hearing Women in Sports

Aim for Workshop: Over the last few years, the number of competitive & non-competitive participation has been on the

decrease. To set up this workshop, DSI want to increase the participation by providing the fun, social, health and competitive

sports at all age levels.

Plans for workshop (Subject to change)

At multipurpose Hall, Deaf Village Ireland:

09:30 Registration 10:00 Welcome Speech; DSI President, Kevin Lynch

10:05 About Deaf Sports Ireland

General history & DSI management structure

Current & Future plans

An issue for Deaf Women in Sports

Not enough youth & women are involved with DSI activities?

Does DSI focus too much on competitive participation?

How can DSI improve to support the non-competitive participation?

10:20 Women in Sports (Guest Speakers)

Sarah Jane Moloney (Current Basketball Player and Duty Manager for Inspire Fitness Centre)

Deirdre Byrne Dunne (former Swimmer & IDSA Swimming Director and Teacher)

Cathy McCormack (Ireland Golfer and Lecture at Trinity College)

A youth Speaker

Q & A

11:15 Break; Tea & Coffee & Biscuits

11:30 Group Discussion;

Split into 3-5 groups, subject to the number of participation

Positive & negative on DSI women in sports

How can DSI improve to support the non-competitive participation?

What activities/education do you want DSI to provide?

12:15 End

At Sport Hall, Deaf Village Ireland:

12:15 Fun Activity

13:30 11th Deaf Ladies Futsal Inter Provincial Championship Match #1

14:30 11th Deaf Ladies Futsal Inter Provincial Championship Match #2

Note: Remember, it’s your workshop & your involvement and not DSI. So, help DSI!

Development News

Want Deaf Sports Ireland to deliver a number of qualifications, workshops and courses to

improve you?? Please email to Paul, admin@deafsportsireland.ie for requests.

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Development News:

Forthcoming DSI National Sport Event

Page 12

Contact Us: Deaf Sports Ireland, Deaf Village Ireland, Ratoath Road, Dublin 7.

M: 087 1349877; E: info@deafsportsireland.com; W: www.deafsportsireland.com; FB: www.facebook/

irishdeafsports; Twitter: deafsportire

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Activities & Deaf Sport Clubs News

The Foy brothers are once again back at the helm of the club as Stuart Foy was appointed player manager in the summer with his brother Geoff Foy as his head coach. Together with brand new facilities at DVI, the club has attracted a number of

players to sign for them which has boosted the depth of the squad. So far they have had a moderately successful start to their league campaign, sitting in 6th place with 4 wins and 3 losses in 7 games. Hopefully they will improve on their win rate to climb the table as the season goes on. For information on how to join, please visit www.stvincentsdfc.com

Dublin Celts Waterpolo (DCWP)

After 4 years of inactivity, Dublin Celts have reformed. With a fantastic swimming pool at DVI, the aim is to encourage the growth of the club. New players are welcome to join, both men and women. Please contact Nora

Duggan for more information.

Playing their first match of the season, the men’s team came up against Paul Ryder and his St Vincent's (hearing) Waterpolo team in a cup tie. Despite only getting together the week before, Dublin Celts gave a good account of themselves and were only one goal behind at half time as the scoreline stood at 4-3. However tiredness kicked in and in the end they were defeated 12-5. In the opening match of their league campaign, they suffered a narrow defeat losing 6-5 to Marian.

St. Vincent’s Deaf Football Team

FREE Deaf Sports Ireland Membership (up to 31st December 2012)

St. Vincent’s Deaf Basketball Team

St. Vincent’s Ladies basketball have played their 3 matches to date. Unfortunately they are yet to taste victory as they have been beaten each time. However they are generally a young side with a handful of experienced players so

this learning curve should hopefully stand them in good stead and see them record their first win of the season soon.

If you would like to include general news, recently sport results or any of upcoming sport event in 2013 from your organisation for the next newsletter, please send to Paul, admin@deafsportsireland.com

As part of the Sports Development Activity Programme, we have attempted to revive the sport of badminton by holding regular badminton practise every Monday in the sports hall of DVI. It has turned out to be quite a success as the sport enjoys a revelation, attracting good numbers every week; recently the average count of players has been 22!

Other sports as such as men and ladies futsal are also prov-ing successful with healthy turnouts on a regular basis. If you wish to participate in any of these sports, please contact Paul Ryder, the DSI Sports Development Officer.

Activities News

DSI is offering free membership from now to the 31st December 2012. Please note that membership for your Regional Council is separate and you will need to get in touch with your RC secretary for more information on how to pay this. 2012 Membership benefits 1. DSI Membership Card: All individuals are registered with the Deaf Sports Ireland will receive a membership card posted to

the address provided when first registered. 2. Information: Members will receive have priority in receiving electronic newsletters bimonthly (every 2 months). Members will

also receive text messages with the latest breaking news and other information such as annual reports, accounts and events. 3. Match Tickets: Occasionally DSI sell tickets for Ireland soccer and rugby matches held in Aviva Stadium, priority will be given

to those who are members. . 4. Events: A discount fee will apply to events or activities that DSI promotes. 5. Insurance :All DSI Registered Members are covered by a Public Liability, Personal Accident Policy & Professional Indemnity

Insurance Policy. 6. Competitions: DSI will only members will be selected from their sports discipline to represent Ireland in internation-

al competitions. 7. Training: Members will receive priority and discounts into the courses that DSI provide such as, Basic Child Protection Aware-

ness, First Aid, level coaching e.g. football, basketball, futsal etc… 8. Workshops: Members will have a chance to participate in special interest groups, forums and surveys to discuss issues that

matter to you. 9. Sports Facilities at Deaf Village Ireland: If you become member of DSI, you can buy a special membership rate for Gym &

Swimming at DVI for €150. Annual membership normally is €489. Please note from 1st January 2013 new annual membership fees will apply. Do you know that you can register by on-line? Go to our website; www.deafsportsireland.com/get-involved/membership