World class

World Deaf Futsal Championships
Sofia, Bulgaria
8-18 November 2007

England Women's Deaf Team coach Julie Callaghan has named her squad for the forthcoming World Futsal Championships.

Callaghan has called up 12 players for the trip to Bulgaria which kicks off in November.

England have been drawn in Group B alongside Norway, Turkey, Israel and Switzerland.

The Three Lions will be hoping to match their display at last year's European Deaf Futsal Championship in Moscow where they finished runners-up.

Having beaten Denmark in the Semi-Final, England eventually came unstuck against hosts Russia, going down 2-0, despite Carly Waters' impressive display in goal.

Callaghan and her staff will communicate to players in British Sign Language and Signed Spoken English, with the coach also communicating to players via lip-speaking. 

Referees communicate during the match using a flag which is raised up at the same time as the whistle is blown. The officials are aware of deaf players not being able to look up at the referee at all the times, and there are also assistant referees who will support the referee with the game.