Deaf Pakenham youngster making plenty of noise on football field

BRAVE Pakenham U10 player Ryan Emerson can’t hear a sound on the football field, but that hasn’t stopped him from making waves with his silky skills.

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RYAN Emerson has been named best on ground several times while playing for Pakenham’s Under 10 side.

He’s also the team’s bravest player each and every week.

The Pakenham lad is profoundly deaf and while school can sometimes be difficult, on the pitch he is just one of the boys.

Footy has helped him build friendships and his self-esteem, and on Sunday morning he had Deaf Children Australia interpreter Neil Ray with him in the huddle relaying the coach’s instructions during the quarter and half-time breaks.

“The club and the South East Juniors are keen to help Ryan and another young deaf player at Pakenham Junior Football Club to pursue their personal goals and overcome the communication barriers,’’ said Loretta Walshe, communications manager of Deaf Children Australia.

Ryan’s parents, Jane and Paul, are profoundly deaf like as well. Usually when children are deaf, their parents try to relay the coach’s instructions to their children.

But for Ryan and his family, this presents another challenge. Paul Emerson helps out at training and has 20 years’ experience as an umpire. At one point he applied to become an AFL umpire but was turned down because of his deafness.

“Paul and Jane don’t want the same limitations to stop Ryan from chasing his dream to play for the AFL. Having an interpreter there on Sunday was a big help,’’ Walshe said.

Deaf Children Australia (DCA) is working with the Pakenham Junior Football Club to develop the opportunity for their young deaf footballers to access Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreting services.

“Ryan is an amazing boy and he shows so much potential as a young footballer,’’ said Pakenham Junior Football Club committee member Joanne Mateariki.

“We hope we will be able to attract sponsorship to provide ongoing interpreting support for Ryan and our other young deaf player.

“In the future, we hope to extend this opportunity for other young deaf players who want to join our Auskick program as well.

“We want to create a more inclusive environment for deaf children at our club. We like to think all our kids are happy and can enjoy the game first and foremost.”

Ryan was excited about having an interpreter at the game for the first time. When his 11-year-old cousin started playing with an interpreter’s support, his skills improved significantly. He hopes he will have the same opportunity.

“Interpreting can help these young players to play on a level playing field with their friends and achieve their potential in football,’’ Ray said.

“Murrumbeena Football Club has started providing interpreting services for teenage players who are deaf and we have started up an Auslan Auskick program with South Melbourne District Sports Club.

“We know what a huge difference it can make for these young boys in terms of their skills and their confidence both on and off the field.”

*For more information or to support the interpreting program at Pakenham Junior Football Club, contact the South East Juniors on 5955 0555.