Amy Griffin Hosts US Deaf Soccer Women's National Team In Seattle
June 21, 2017 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE – Washington associate head coach Amy Griffin will be wearing a different hat this week as head coach of the United States Deaf Soccer Women's National Team, as she hosts the team in town this weekend for a camp in the city of Seattle.
The team has activates lined up all across the city, as they gather for one of their two annual training camps this weekend. The U.S. squad is coming off of their second Deaf World Championship in 2016, as they defeated Russia 3-0 in the finals at the Deaf Olympics, remaining undefeated in international competition since forming in the early 90's.
The events began today as the team gathered for training on the University of Washington campus, followed by a match with OSA FC, who are coached by Husky alum Malia Arrant, at the Starfire Sports Complex.
Tomorrow the team will head to the Microsoft campus for a closed training, followed by another training session back on Washington's campus. On Friday, the team will attend the Seattle Storm game and Pride Party after a morning of practice.
The team has also partnered with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at the TOP K-8 School in Roanoke, Wash., and will attend their end of the year assembly and do a meet and greet with the kids.
"The team knows that it's their job to connect with the community and promote the game," said Griffin. "Even if we connect with one kid, it will be worth the trip to Seattle, but I think the week is set up so we connect with many, many kids."
The team will conclude their time together with a matchup against the Seattle Sounders women's team at Husky Soccer Stadium on Saturday the 24th at 1 p.m., followed by a post-match meet and greet and free clinic. Saturday evening the team will attend the Seattle Reign FC match versus FC KC at Memorial Stadium.
The team is made up of athletes between the ages of 12 and 32, some with very little experience and some who have played in college and beyond. While some members of the team are deaf, some members use hearing aids or implants to be able to hear, however, the Deaf Olympics forbid the use of such devices, adding difficulty to those who do not know sign language. While this makes coaching a challenge for Griffin, she's embraced it over the years and has learned from it in more ways than one.
"I'm really thankful for the experience and I think I've become addicted to coaching this team," said Griffin.
You can find out more about the U.S. Deaf Soccer Women's National team by checking out their team's page at the link above, where you can view the team's roster, read about upcoming events and even donate to help support the program.
