Day 7 – The Power of Collaboration and Partnership
21st November 2025
After the excitement of yesterday’s medal wins, today was another busy and inspiring day. My schedule was packed with meetings before I headed back to Ariake Tennis to watch our men’s doubles team defeat the number three seeds in the quarterfinals. From there, I moved on to swimming, though I sadly missed the mixed team event in golf where we finished a very respectable fifth overall.
Even without medals today, our athletes continue to make us proud. Their determination and performances remind me daily why collaboration and partnership are so vital in elite sport—especially in deaf sport.
My first meeting this morning brought this into sharp focus. We are fortunate to have the support of Sign Video, and I was delighted to meet Sorenson’s Chief Relationship Officer, Wendy Adams, and Sign Video’s Head of Relationships, Damaris Cooke. It was a privilege to thank them personally for their commitment to the Deaflympics GB Team.
Sign Video’s role as our Platinum Partner has been transformative. Their support covered all our athletes’ flights, a huge relief for a small team like ours. Beyond that, their collaboration on social media has amplified our voice and helped us share our athletes’ stories with the wider world.
Later in the morning, our Honorary President Andrea Hardwick and I met with ICSD President Adam Kosa. We discussed the ongoing work to raise awareness and understanding of the Deaflympics and deaf athletes globally. The conversation left us encouraged, and we look forward to seeing these efforts grow in the months ahead.
Watching tennis today reminded me of another crucial partnership: the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). They remain the only National Governing Body to fund their deaf athletes to compete in the Deaflympics. Their long-standing commitment is invaluable, and I hope other NGBs will follow their lead in supporting elite deaf athletes across different sports.
Even as Tokyo continues, my thoughts are already turning to 2029. With our Talent Pathway Manager now in post, we have the opportunity to build a more integrated approach for deaf athletes—one that goes beyond coaching to include all the key elements of high-performance sport.
Yet, my concern remains: without recognition and support from the Government, it will be difficult to build on the progress we’ve made in the past year. Collaboration and partnership are not optional extras; they are the foundation of success.
Elite sport thrives on teamwork, not just on the field but behind the scenes. From sponsors and governing bodies to international federations and government support, every partnership strengthens the pathway for our athletes. Together, we can ensure that deaf athletes receive the recognition, resources, and opportunities they deserve.
Because in the end, we truly can’t do this without you.