From leading the South African Deaf Rugby Association to a standout sporting body, Lauren Terras and Roelof Kotze have earned their places at World Deaf Rugby.
South Africa (04 July 2025) – What started as a quiet but determined commitment to uplift Deaf athletes in South Africa has now become a moment of global recognition. Lauren Terras, the powerhouse behind much of the progress within the South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA), has officially been appointed Vice Chair of World Deaf Rugby, a position that not only honours her years of service but also signals a transformative shift for Deaf rugby in Africa.
Lauren’s appointment is more than a personal achievement; it’s a win for every player, coach, and supporter who has worked to grow the Deaf rugby space under challenging conditions, often with limited resources but boundless passion. As SADRA Vice President, she’s been instrumental in building bridges, empowering athletes, and ensuring the sport becomes a vehicle for connection, pride, and purpose.
And now, that same energy is going global.
We got to speak to the inclusive sport advocate and powerhouse, learning more about how important this new position on the global stage is.
“It’s honestly such a proud moment, not just for me personally, but for the SA Deaf rugby community, the players, the staff, the families. Our country has this incredible sporting spirit, and it’s exciting to see Deaf Rugby drivers now having a seat at the global table.
With the Springboks flying the flag high on the world stage, it feels fitting that we get to add our chapter to South Africa’s rugby legacy, in a way that celebrates inclusion and opportunity. The hard work, the passion, the endless conversations and late nights, it’s all worth it when you see it open doors for others.
We’ve learned so much building Deaf Rugby here, and now we get to share those lessons with other emerging countries, so no one gets left behind in the game.”
Joining Lauren at the international level is SADRA President Roelof Kotze, who has been elected as a Trustee on the World Deaf Rugby Board. Roelof brings with him a wealth of experience and will contribute meaningfully to areas of governance, tournament planning, and development pathways for Deaf players, ensuring that talent doesn’t go unnoticed and opportunity remains within reach.
For both leaders, their appointments reflect the undeniable growth of Deaf rugby in Africa. With Zimbabwe, Ghana, and newly welcomed Uganda also represented on the World Deaf Rugby Board, the continent is making its voice heard loud and clear.
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While Deaf rugby may not always make the mainstream headlines, its heartbeat is strong. Behind the scenes are volunteers, coaches, translators, and advocates like Lauren who fight for inclusion, representation, and dignity in every game played and every jersey worn. These global appointments give weight to the years of unseen effort and lay a foundation for something even greater.
As Vice Chair, Lauren will now help steer global policy, advocate for Deaf-friendly tournament structures, and support the development of new teams in countries where Deaf rugby is just starting to gain traction. Her presence at the decision-making table ensures that South Africa, and the wider African community, is not only participating but helping lead.
Speaking to the opportunities for other inclusive sporting bodies, Lauren shares insights into what it takes to build an inclusive sports association.
“First and foremost, patience is your biggest teammate! Change takes time, but it’s worth every small step. You’ll hear a lot of “no’s”, but I’ve learned a ‘no’ is never the end, it’s just a detour, a chance to rethink, repackage, and get creative.
Keep knocking on doors, the right one always opens. Most importantly, build real relationships with the communities you serve. Listen, truly listen, to what they need, and bring them along for the journey.
And remember, sport is about unity, work together with other teams, codes, and organisations. We’re not competing when it comes to building inclusion, we’re stronger when we share the lessons, the wins, and the workload. Together, we create the future we want to see.”
It’s a proud moment for Deaf sports, for African rugby, and for South Africa. And for Lauren as a mom, who is seeing her 7-year-old son take these important lessons and share them with all the people in his world.
“I wanted to show him that anything is possible. A dream won’t become reality without a goal, and goals are achievable if you apply yourself, work hard, and lead with passion. No dream is too small.
He’s really chuffed about it all and tells anyone who’ll listen about the Deaf community, which completely warms my heart and makes me an incredibly proud mom, and proud human.”
This new chapter is one of collaboration, vision, and fierce belief in what’s possible. And with leaders like Lauren and Roelof paving the way, Deaf rugby’s future has never looked more powerful or more promising.
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