Jamie Clarke

Jamie Clarke is a professional deaf footballer, model and inclusion advocate, best known as Captain of the England and Great Britain Deaf Football Teams and one of the most respected figures in British deaf sport. A prolific striker and natural leader, his greatest honour is representing Great Britain at the Deaflympics while leading his country on the international stage.

Jamie began playing football at five, initially uninterested before quickly becoming obsessed after kicking a ball around with friends in the garden. Encouraged by his father and grandfather, he joined school and local teams, progressing to county level by 12. As a deaf player competing in mainstream football, he often faced discrimination, isolation and communication barriers, yet he refused to let those experiences define him. At 14, he joined the England and GB Deaf set-up, recognising that football had become his purpose. In 2008, he became England’s youngest player at a World Deaf Football Championship, a milestone that confirmed his place in elite deaf sport and marked the beginning of a long international career.

Over more than 15 years, Jamie has built an exceptional record. Appointed Captain of the England and Great Britain Deaf Football Teams in 2015, he has led his squads through European Championships and World tournaments with distinction. A key striker, he helped secure a Bronze Medal at the 2015 European Deaf Football Championships in Germany, alongside earning multiple best player and top goalscorer honours. He represented Great Britain at the Deaflympics in 2009 and will do so again in 2025, underlining his longevity at the highest level. Alongside football, Jamie represents England in deaf cricket and futsal, and Team UK in Padbol. Beyond sport, he claimed the UK Male Top Model title and was named Best European Model at Manhunt International, building an international modelling career in London, New York and Los Angeles. Television appearances, including ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’, have further amplified his advocacy for deaf awareness.

As a keynote speaker, Jamie brings authenticity, warmth and hard earned insight. He speaks openly about resilience, leadership, equality and the importance of inclusive communication. Drawing on his experience as a deaf athlete competing in mainstream and international arenas, Jamie challenges organisations to rethink assumptions around disability and performance. He shares practical lessons on mental strength, team cohesion and leading with empathy, illustrating how he channelled on pitch hostility into focus and goals.