Jack’s dream to be the first deaf Premier League player
11-year-old Jack Pilcher has flourished in the BHAFC Foundation’s disability football programme, says mum Kelly.
Jack, who lives in Wadhurst, travels down to Lancing every other week to play at the Foundation’s deaf talent hub sessions at the club’s training ground.
Jack’s mum says he is “super obsessed” with football, having been playing regularly ever since he was big enough to kick a ball properly.
He began playing for his local team at the age of four, but after a few years in mainstream football they started to ponder whether disability football might be beneficial for him.
“It was a bit of a dilemma,” said mum Kelly, “Jack was playing for his local club and we weren’t really sure whether we needed to investigate deaf football for him.
“We applied for England anyway, and he soon started playing at their Regional Talent Hub.”
While playing at his England sessions, Jack was introduced to BHAFC Foundation disability lead, Phil Broom.
After a few conversations with Phil, they decided to give the Foundation’s deaf football sessions a go.
“Phil was really keen for Jack to come down, so we agreed to try it out,” Kelly said.
“I’d never really known there was a programme like this near us, I had no idea there was this whole world of deaf sport for children.”
Jack wears a cochlear implant on one side of his head, and uses a hearing aid for his other ear. This means that he can’t necessarily rely on audio cues in the same way that other players at his local club can.
Coming to the Foundation sessions gave Jack the chance to play regularly surrounded by players and coaches who could understand exactly what Jack needs on a football pitch.
Quickly, Kelly started to see a big change in her son.
“When he comes to deaf football sessions, it’s like we almost see a totally different boy,” she said.
“He’s beaming, he can relax, he learns so much because he’s not having to worry about his teammates or his coaches.
“There’s no big explanation about ‘this is what I need, this is what I can and can’t hear’, he can just play.”
She also sang the praises of Jack’s coaches at the Foundation, singling Phil Broom out in particular for how he’s supported Jack.
“The coaches are amazing. Phil understands Jack to a tee.
“He really taps into all sides of Jack; the serious side where he can develop him on a tactical and technical level, but also on a personal level he helps Jack develop those important attributes like working hard and being humble.
“When we go to matches with the Foundation, Jack just loves it. I can see it in his whole body.”
Phil Broom has been impressed with the development he’s seen in Jack in his time with the Foundation.
“Jack is a cracking little player and a lovely lad,” Phil said, “he’s a pleasure to have at our sessions and we’ve all been really impressed with his level of ability.
“Like a lot of our players he travels a fair distance to come to our training sessions and matches, but he always comes full of energy and ready to give it his all.”
Alongside his deaf football sessions, Jack also plays at a good level in mainstream football, representing the district team for his age group.
“He’s playing two different sports, really. I don’t really know how he does it but he copes with it very well,” Kelly said.
“If you asked him right now, Jack would tell you that he wants to be the first deaf player in the Premier League. And why not?
“He’s got a long way to go yet and he needs to focus on Year 6 first, but we’ll support him all the way.”
You can find out more about the Foundation’s disability football programme here.