Deaf fans to feel part of match with vibrating kit

Fans David Wilson (left) and Ryan Gregson will wear the new shirts on Saturday

New "haptic" kits will help Newcastle United fans who are deaf or have hearing loss to better experience the atmosphere at St James' Park.

The shirts use sensors which vibrate when action takes place on the pitch.

Supporters Ryan Gregson and David Wilson will be trying out the new kits on Saturday during Newcastle's game against Tottenham Hotspur.

They told BBC Radio Newcastle through an interpreter that it would be "really good to feel connected" and a part of the match.

"It's really good for the deaf to be able to feel included," they said.

"To feel connected and part of it.

"We can see the atmosphere, but to actually feel the atmosphere, and the jumping, and the crowd, that would be really great."

The kits were created with a partnership between of Newcastle United's kit sponsor Sela and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID).

It is part of an initiative called Unsilence the Crowd.

Ibrahim Mohtaseb from Sela, NUFC's chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone and Dr Lauren Ward from the RNID with the new shirts

Teri Devine, RNID's director for inclusion, said the new technology could have "a real and lasting impact" on how people who are deaf or have hearing loss experience live sports.

Peter Silverstone, Newcastle United's chief commercial officer, said the club believed the campaign would be truly "game-changing for football".

“When Sela shared the idea and technology behind the haptic shirts, we supported the concept immediately, knowing it would make such an impact to our supporters who are deaf or have hearing loss."

Sela said it had "committed" to providing the technology at all future Newcastle United home games.

Ibrahim Mohtaseb, senior vice president of Sela, said: "St James’ Park is renowned for its noise and passion.

"Through this initiative we hope to enable deaf fans and fans with hearing loss to feel a part of this."