St Vincent’s School for the Deaf recently hosted an inspiring event, showcasing international deaf rugby to its students. The occasion celebrated the success of the Deaf Rugby International series, where South Africa competed against teams from England, Australia, and Japan.
To mark this achievement, the South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) invited coaches from South Africa and Australia, along with members of the women’s R10C Selects team, to engage with the learners at St Vincent’s. The event, organized by Rudolf Rautenbach of RISE Business Continuity, SADRA’s vice president Lauren Terras, and Nelly Ramalepe of the Gauteng School Sport for the Deaf (GSSD), was a lively mix of fun and educational activities.
The aim was to introduce rugby to students who were experiencing the sport for the first time. Australian and South African coaches enthusiastically taught the basics of rugby, while the R10C Selects team demonstrated inclusivity by learning sign language. This effort highlighted rugby’s growing role in promoting inclusivity in South Africa and its appeal to women.
The Australian coaches presented gifts to the learners, expressing their hope that some of them might one day represent South Africa in future matches against Australia. SADRA and the R10C Selects left rugby balls at the school and pledged to return for additional coaching sessions to support the sport’s development within the school community.
Nelly Ramalepe, a long-time figure at St Vincent’s, expressed her pride in the event and optimism for rugby’s future at the school. She noted, “Rugby hasn’t been a regular fixture here at St Vincent’s, but with our school being close to Pridwin Preparatory, the potential for regular matches is definitely on the horizon.”
Lauren Terras, whose dedication was crucial in the success of the Deaf Rugby International series, emphasized the impact of the event. “St Vincent’s is now a hub for deaf school rugby. We’ve planted the seed, and we hope to see it grow and spread across the country.”
St Vincent’s School for the Deaf has embraced rugby, setting the stage for the sport to flourish within the deaf community and creating opportunities for learners to excel on both national and international stages.
