About Us

BC Deaf Sports Federation (BCDSF) is a multi-sport, non-profit organization functioning as an umbrella for Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes in British Columbia.

BCDSF’s mandate includes:

  • establishing and maintaining contact with Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes in British Columbia
  • promoting awareness and acceptance of Deaf athletes nationally and provincially
  • developing interest among Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes and supporters in competitive and recreational sports
  • providing services and support in areas of competition, training, counselling, and administration
  • providing a variety of sport opportunities in which to participate

Long-term goals are:

  • to contact as many Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes in BC as possible
  • to increase public awareness of BC Deaf Sports
  • develop interest in competitive and recreational sports among Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes and supporters
  • to further strengthen the organization

Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes in BC who show the ability and capacity for hard work have been encouraged by BCDSF to try out at the national level for the right to represent Canada at the Deaflympics, for both the Summer and Winter events. Additionally, we encourage all Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes to participate in the Pan-American Games for the Deaf and the Canada Deaf Games.

BCDSF is a registered charitable organization that will issue tax deductible receipts for donations. Contributions are gratefully accepted. BCDSF also publishes a newsletter that tells about recent Deaf sporting activities/events and general interest stories, as well as providing information on upcoming events and competitions.

History

BC Deaf Sports Federation (BCDSF) was established in February, 1975. However, the inspiration for the creation of BCDSF began eleven years earlier. In 1964, a four-member committee formed to raise funds for the BC teams who wanted to participate in the 9th World Summer Games for the Deaf in Washington, DC, in 1965.

Since the Deaflympics (formerly, Deaf World Games) occur every four years, two other committees supporting BC Deaf athletes were formed in 1968 and in 1973. In 1974, it became obvious that a provincial organization was needed to manage and support BC’s Deaf athletes. By 1978, BCDSF was officially registered as a non-profit organization under the BC Society Act and has since been assisting to organize, support, and encourage Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes to participate in competitive and recreational sports on provincial, national, and, with the support of the CDSA, international competitions.