CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte's Heather Kennedy (Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Academy) of the women's soccer team has been named to the 2012 USA Deaf National team roster. The rising sophomore forward was selected to represent the nation as a member of the squad based on her performance and commitment at the United States Deaf Soccer Association Tryouts.
 
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and Queens on the USA Deaf National Soccer Team,” Kennedy voiced after hearing the news.
 
International criteria states that in order to be eligible to compete in deaf soccer competitions, players must have an average hearing loss of 55 decibels or more in the best ear. All players competing in deaf matches are also required to remove all hearing aids before playing adding to the number of obstacles they must overcome in playing the sport of soccer.
 
The women's deaf national team has won back-to-back gold medals in the 2005 and 2009 Deaflympics. This summer Kennedy will travel with the team to Ankara, Turkey as they compete for a gold medal in the 2012 Deaf World Cup taking place July 16-28.
 
Kennedy further expressed her thoughts on playing internationally stating that the trip shows “promise of being an exciting adventure as she and her teammates reinforce to their audience that hearing impaired athletes can compete successfully at a high level.” Kennedy also added that she hoped to bring home a gold medal as well, and with many players from the 2009 Deaflympics returning, the USA has a strong chance of coming back with the 2012 Deaf World Cup Championship Title.
 
Queens head coach Katie Talbert expressed how proud she is of her student-athlete stating, “Heather has worked tirelessly this year, and this opportunity is well deserved. We cannot wait to follow her and the national team's success this summer.”