As like most things in life, communication in whatever form is just so important, and that is no different for Australian Deaf Rugby.
So well before the players are out on the training paddock for the first training session, and the Captain is announced, the most important person in the Australian Deaf Rugby setup is selected – the Auslan sign interpreter.
Hearing loss in this set up varies from mild to the profoundly deaf. For those with substantial loss, this automatically means relying greatly on the interpreter to understand what the coach is saying, right through to if the team attends an after game function, or on a team outing while on tour where a tour guide is speaking. The players with a mild hearing loss can get by and speak normally.
Over the next three seasons there is a very exciting time approaching as 2015 will see the Aussie Deaf Rugby boys taking on their three nation tour to Samoa where they will be the first game on the newly renovated Apia Park Stadium in Apia. This game will basically be used as a full dress rehearsal of the new ground, which will be used for the historic first test match held in Samoa between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks. Australian Deaf Rugby also believes that they will be the 1st Australian National Rugby team to play a game in Samoa.
Mid week will see another Test Match in Fiji against their National Deaf team. Then the Aussies head to Christchurch to take on the Deaf Blacks and attempt to regain the Cochlear Cup.
2016 will see the Aussies participating in the Deaf Rugby World Cup and later in the year touring to the USA, Argentina where they will play Tests against their National Deaf Rugby Teams, and an unusual rugby place to tour, Cuba, where we will play against a select Cuban Team (Che Guevara is credited with bringing the game of rugby to Cuba). Again another highlight for Australian Deaf Rugby will be that we will be the first western rugby team to play in Cuba since their sanctions against the west have been lifted.
The progress of Deaf Rugby will continue in 2017 when a Pacific Rim annual or bi annual Tournament is proposed, taking in Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, USA and Japan.
On the domestic scene there is a three State Australian Deaf Sevens tournament taking place at Box Hill Rugby Club in Melbourne over the Easter weekend comprising teams from NSW, QLD and VIC.
Australian Deaf Rugby is always on the lookout for new players & sponsors any way you can help or get involved will be appreciated.
Upcoming Events
– ADRU South Pacific Rugby Tour 2015
– 2016 Deaf Rugby World Cup
Get Behind the Australian Deaf Rugby team
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeafRugbyAustralia
Website: http://deafrugbyaustralia.com.au
*Thanks to Graham Leonard for providing information*
