In a spirited celebration of inclusivity and sportsmanship, St Vincent’s School for the Deaf hosted a unique event that brought the excitement of international deaf rugby right to its learners. The South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) recently concluded the Deaf Rugby International series, which saw South Africa face off against teams from England, Australia, and Japan. To mark this success, SADRA invited coaches from South African and Australian deaf rugby teams, along with members of the women’s R10C Selects, to share their love for the game with the learners at St Vincent’s.
The event, organised by Rudolf Rautenbach, a director at RISE Business Continuity, in collaboration with SADRA’s vice president Lauren Terras and Nelly Ramalepe, educator and chairperson of the Gauteng School Sport for the Deaf (GSSD), was an inspiring morning filled with fun and learning. The initiative aimed to introduce the sport to the learners, many of whom were experiencing rugby for the first time, highlighting its growing role as a leader in inclusivity within South Africa.
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With energy and enthusiasm Australian and South African coaches taught rugby basics to learners from St Vincent’s. The R10C Selects team showcased inclusivity by quickly picking up sign language, highlighting rugby’s popularity in South Africa and its appeal to women.
The Australian coaches delighted the learners with gifts, expressing their hope that some learners might one day represent South Africa in future matches against Australia. SADRA and the R10C Selects left rugby balls for the school and promised to return for further coaching sessions, ensuring the sport continues growing within the school community.
Ramalepe, who has a long-standing role at St Vincent’s, expressed her pride and optimism for the future of rugby at the school. “Rugby hasn’t been a regular fixture here at St Vincent’s,” she noted, “but with our school being so close to Pridwin Preparatory, the potential for regular matches is definitely on the horizon.”
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Terras, whose dedication to the sport was pivotal in the success of the Deaf Rugby International series at St Stithians College, offered the final word of the day. “St Vincent’s is the home of deaf school rugby. The seed has been sown, and we would like to see it grow and spread throughout the country.”
St Vincent’s School for the Deaf has embraced rugby and planted the seeds for a future where the sport thrives within the deaf community, creating opportunities for learners to shine on national and international stages.
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