Exeter Deaf Academy wins National Deaf Schools Sports Day

Exeter Deaf Academy have won a nation-wide track and field competition for Deaf schools.

The annual National Deaf Schools Track and Field Sports Day took place on Wednesday 5 July at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Organised by local Deaf school Heathlands, the competition saw 7 schools from across the country come together to compete in a variety of track and field events.

The group of 12 students and 7 members of staff had a long day, setting off from Exeter at 6am to reach the venue.

Teacher Nick Edmunds said; ‘We’re really proud of them. The PE teachers from Heathlands were really impressed by their sports technique and could tell they had trained hard. They were well-behaved and a credit to Exeter Deaf Academy. It was a long, hot day but everyone gave their all.’

The day saw 9 events in total: 1500m, 800m, 400m, 200m and 100m running races; high jump; long jump; shot put and a 4x100m relay. Exeter Deaf Academy students earned a total of 900 points across the event, almost double the points earned for second place. Students competed in either Under-14s or Under-16s categories for each event, with Exeter winning 9 golds and 14 silvers across the categories.

Nick said: ‘Our students had a great day, interacting with other students from a number of schools. Some made new friends and others caught up with old ones – it was a great social event as well as a sporting one.

‘They were chuffed to bits to bring the winner’s cup home to Exeter; we thought they’d be tired on the drive back but they were bouncing off the walls!’

The last time Exeter Deaf Academy competed in the Sports Day was 2015, where they came second overall.

Pictured is the team with their winners’ trophy. Photo Rob Nicholson.