Doncaster student set to play in Serbia at the World Deaf Football Championships

A Doncaster student is set to fulfil a dream as he represents his country at the under 23 World Deaf Football Championships in Serbia, which kick off today, May 11.

Ryan Woodcock, aged 19, from Rotherham, studies at Yorkshire Rose College in Doncaster and has been selected to play for Great Britain in the international tournament.

Ryan started playing football at the age of two and grew up with a real love for the game. He plays as a right wing back for his local team in Rotherham.

Representing Great Britain is a major achievement for Ryan. Participation in the championship is self-funded and he has successfully raised the £2,500 needed to cover travel, accommodation and training.

He said: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported getting me to Serbia. It means a lot.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported getting me to Serbia. It means a lot.

Ryan Woodcock
Student at Yorkshire Rose College

“I’m really excited to be travelling for the championships and I hope that we get a medal.”

Ryan is currently studying plastering at Yorkshire Rose College. He joined the college in 2023 from Doncaster School for Deaf Children, which he attended from the age of 13.

As a Deaf student, Ryan is part of the college’s Deaf Education Centre, where students celebrate Deaf culture, communicate using British Sign Language and take part in vocational courses that are tailored to their needs.

Tracey Jamison, principal of Yorkshire Rose College, said: “We are so proud of Ryan for making it on the team and we’re all rooting for them to do well.

“We will be following his progress from back in Doncaster and we are all behind him. Go Ryan.”

For further information about the Championships visit https://www.ciss.org/events/774

For further information about Yorkshire Rose College visit https://thecarrfentonfoundation.org.uk/college/