Being a minority inside a minority is demanding but rewarding: England deaf futsal player Lucindha Lawson

Lucindha Lawson might not have the recognition and fame that England’s European champions like Leah Williamson, Millie Bright or Lucy Bronze have in the public eye. But the graduate accountant trainee working at the London Borough of Bexley is a champion in her own right.

Just five months after Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses were crowned the champions of Europe at the Wembley Stadium, the country’s deaf women’s futsal team, captained by Emma Brown, also won their first-ever European championship after a 3-2 win against Spain in Italy with Lawson playing a key part in the team’s success.

In fact, Lawson was pivotal by being more than just a player as it was she who helmed a crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of taking part in the European championship when the Football Association (FA) withdrew their support of both the men’s and women’s teams a few months before the start of the tournament.

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“Wearing the England shirt fills me with pride and honour every time and emerging the winners of the Euros last year was the biggest moment of my career so far,” said 32-year-old Lawson, whose family has Sri Lankan roots and was raised in the care under social care at Harrow in North London.

Lawson attended the Heathlands School For Deaf Children in St Albans between the age of three and 16 and that was when her tryst with football began. Being deaf, a young Lawson was not a fan of football on television in the beginning, but the nine-year-old picked up the sport after seeing all the kids around her playing five-a-side games.

It was only at the age of eight that Lawson picked up wider means of communication and she had significant challenges communicating with her teammates and coaches. “I started playing football for the Fulham deaf women’s team and then decided to give playing football with hearing individuals a try,” Lawson said.

“But I found it challenging to communicate with my teammates and the coaching team and therefore had to quit,” she said. “With deaf teammates, communication during matches is seamless. But that is not the case when you play outside of deaf football, especially in a sport that relies heavily on verbal communication,” Lawson said.

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“Conveying tactics, strategies, or even simple instructions can be challenging. Clear communication strategies and patience are key or it can lead to misunderstandings, missed chances or defensive lapses.”

“I’ve developed a strong understanding of non-verbal signals and gestures with my teammates which includes eye contact, hand signals, and coordinated movements to ensure we are in sync during matches. I’ve also worked extensively on my spatial awareness, as not being able to hear calls or shouts on the pitch requires a heightened sense of positioning.”

Lawson said the inability to ‘read the room’ can affect decision-making and emotional engagement. “Being unable to hear the crowd or the sounds of the game means limited awareness of the overall match atmosphere, but we find ways to overcome it. Being aware of the players, the ball, and the overall game flow is essential to contribute effectively to the team,” she said.

“I’ve also fine-tuned my visual and peripheral awareness to pick up on cues and anticipate plays, compensating for the absence of auditory input,” said Lawson, who is not only considered a role model for young deaf girls and the deaf community in the country, but also for the minority ethnic groups.

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“There is a lack of awareness and inclusivity regarding deaf athletes in mainstream football. And being a minority within another minority, I often find myself in a position where I must advocate for both deaf and minority representation in the sport. This can be a rewarding but demanding responsibility,” Lawson said.

“But I think these challenges and experiences as a minority deaf footballer have made me stronger, helping me contribute positively to the national team and I hope I will inspire others to overcome similar obstacles to pursue their passion for football.”

Lawson, who plays futsal for London Helvecia, is planning a return to football with her local team East Finchley FC. However, her sights are set on the national team and with the FA now firmly throwing their weight behind the futsal team will look to win the fifth World Deaf Futsal Championships scheduled to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in November.

“I’m extremely excited about the upcoming world championship in Brazil and our aim is to win the tournament as well as do our best at the 20th Winter Deaflympics to be held in Turkey next year,” said Lawson, who aims to continue playing both futsal and football into her forties.

Photo: The Football Association

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