24th March 2010,

Deaf Rugby Smart Rugby

QLD Rugby held a SmartRugby course specifically for the Deaf Community at Ballymore last week.

The course was arranged by Simon Mahony, who is the Chief Official of the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union. Simon was able to gain his SmartRugby accreditation in NSW last year when Australian Rugby arranged for an interpreter to assist at his course. From this experience he was keen to arrange another course to up skill members of the Deaf Community.

The Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union aims to develop the grassroots level of Rugby Union in the Deaf Community. They also have opportunities to tour, travelling and playing in Fiji last year. SmartRugby is a valuable course for these participants, to provide training in safety aspects regarding contact in Rugby Union. 

QR Reds players Quade Cooper, Ezra Taylor and Van Humphries joined Queensland Rugby staff in running the Ballymore course. Two interpreters from Deaf Services Queensland assisted the players and QRU staff in delivering the course to the group.

Cooper, Taylor and Humphries were involved in a number of the activities at the two and half hour course.

QRU State Education Manager Geno Costin said the group appreciated the opportunity to work with the players while gaining their SmartRugby accreditation.

“It was good to provide our educational SmartRugby course to those who are either deaf or hearing impaired and it was also an opportunity for the group to engage on a social level with the players and - through the interpreters - ask them questions they normally wouldn't be able to."

Costin said the QRU was looking into increasing the number and variety of courses available to the deaf community in the future.

This program was arranged through Rugby CONNECT. Rugby CONNECT covers the ARU inclusion programs, which look to make Rugby accessible to all Australians.

Written by Tessa Pentony

Australian Rugby Union

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