Q1. I am deaf and I am interested in athletics, what do I do?
A1. You need to contact Deaf UK Athletics (DUKA). Contact us now.
Q2. I want help with training. Where do I go?
A2. If you are not already a member of a local athletics club, you need to join one. They have many coaches to teach different events. They will help you with your training programme and put you in a suitable training group.
Q3. How do I join the athletics club?
A3. If you do not know where the nearest athletics club is, please look at the local Yellow Pages or your BT Phone Book. They have the addresses of sports organisations such as Athletics Club. If you still cannot find out, please contact DUKA. Give your FULL NAME, ADDRESS, POST CODE, EMAIL ADDRESS AND CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS. We will try to find out where the nearest club is to your home and get back to you.
Q4. How do I improve my performance?
A4. If you want to improve your performance, please join an athletics club. The coach in the athletics club will help give you advice on how you can improve your performance. If you are not happy with your club, you can look at the possibility of changing coaches or clubs! DUKA regularly holds training sessions in Stoke On Trent. Look up dates in this website.
Q5. I am worried about communication problems with my coach.
A5. Please do not worry about that. Most coaches are happy to write things down or use small signs/gestures to show you what to do. If you still have problems with communicating with the coach, contact DUKA - with your FULL NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, NAME OF YOUR COACH AND ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL OF YOUR COACH. We will provide information on Coaching Deaf Athletes to your coach.
Q6. How do you select people to represent GB Deaf Team in international competitions?
Q6. Athletes are picked by merit. Those performing very well in recent competitions/training sessions or time trials subject to achieving the qualifying standard are selected. In some cases, athletes who show the talent, will and commitment to succeed may be given the opportunity to represent GB.
Q7. What do I need to do to be selected?
A7. All athletes MUST belong to an athletics club! You need to have competed in athletics competitions regularly and especially at least 2 months before the next international competition. Also, you must have competed within the last 6 months, unless you have reasons for not competing. DUKA will need to know. Your performances/results need to be sent to us from Official Athletics Performance Standard. You will need to achieve the qualifying standard-selection will still be possible following the Athletics Committee Executives meeting.
Q8. If I am not selected, can I appeal?
A8. Yes, you can appeal. You will need to complete an Appeal Form, which will be sent to you by DUKA on request.
Q9. How do I appeal?
A9. Write to DUKA Athletics Committee Executive and request an Appeal Form. A form will be sent to you. Please fill in the Appeal Form and send to DUKA as soon as you receive it.
Q10. What age do I have to be to represent GB Deaf Athletics?
A10. Age is not important. Currently, there are no age groups in deaf international events. What we need are athletes who have the qualifying standard or are capable of performing well. The Athletics Committee Executives will decide this. If you are under 18 years old, DUKA will need your parents to give consent/permission for you to travel with DUKA Team. Parents are also welcome to travel with their children where the athlete is under 18 years old.
Q11. Do I need a British Passport to represent GB?
A11. Yes. All athletes who want to represent GB Deaf Athletics Team MUST have a valid British Passport - whether the competition is in the UK or outside the UK. If you do not have one, please apply for one immediately.
Q12. I would like to enter competitions, what do I do?
A12. If you are a member of an athletics club, ask your club secretary for athletics competitions details. You can also look at Athletics Weekly magazine (published every Thursdays) and DUKA website for competition information.
Q13. What is the minimum hearing loss before I can join Deaf UK Athletics?
A13. Although we welcome any athlete to join Deaf UK Athletes, ONLY deaf athletes can be selected to represent GB Deaf Team in international competitions. To be considered 'deaf' the hearing loss must be at least 55 decibel on the better ear.
Deaf UK Athletics requires a recent copy of an audiogram as proof. This audiogram must be done using official form. If you require an audiogram form, please contact us. If you have previously supplied an approved audiogram, you do not need to submit a copy again. It is not allowed to wear hearing aids during international deaf competitions.
None deaf competitors may be allowed to enter DUKA 'Open' competitions at the discretion of the organising committee of the event.
Q14. What does 55 decibel hearing loss in the better ear mean?
A14. A whisper is about 20 decibels, normal conversation is 60 decibels, and an average Walkman at full volume is 100 decibels. This means that someone with a 100-decibel loss will start to hear something when it is as loud as the full-blast Walkman.
Some people have different hearing level in both ears. 55 decibel hearing loss in the better ear mean that the ear with the most ability to pick up sound must not be better than 55 decibel."
If you have any questions not answered above, please email us your question(s). We will be happy to answer and add them to this list. [ Contact us ]
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