Northolt-based Middlesex County FA which is responsible for governing and developing local grassroots football has launched a British Sign Language (BSL) advent calendar, with each day opening the door for a new word or phrase performed in BSL by a member of the grassroots football community.
Players, club officials, league officials, referees and County FA staff have all taken part in the calendar by using the ‘Sign BSL’ app.
The launch of the calendar comes before International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is on 3 December 2023.
Daniel Perkins, inclusion officer at Middlesex FA said: “It has been an extremely enjoyable experience to collaborate with some of our clubs, players, coaches, referees, and officials across the county to put this together. We hope that the Advent Calendar can be a fun way to begin learning some signals, and this can encourage people to learn BSL further.”
Natasha Cameron, centre manager at Rectory Park added: “The staff team at Rectory Park have found it really useful to learn some signs and signals, which we hope will contribute to ensuring our venue is fully accessible to all. We will continue to use the app and other resources to develop our learning further.”
To view the calendar each day throughout December, visit Middlesex FA’s website: www.middlesexfa.com
 advent calendar, with each day opening the door for a new word or phrase performed in BSL by a member of the grassroots football community.){kind=link}