South African Deaf Rugby is excited to announce they are hosting international Sevens and Tens tournaments this August.
Johannesburg, South Africa (24 July 2024) – For the first time on South African soil, the South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) will be hosting a ground-breaking international Deaf rugby series from 3rd to 8th August. This historic event will see top teams from around the world, including Australia, England, Japan, and hosts South Africa, competing in an exciting series.
SADRA continues to break new ground in the sport of Deaf Rugby. Coming off the back of a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Argentina and picking up the award for Associate Member of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards. SADRA is excited to announce a momentous International Series that will lay the foundation for the continued development and growth of the sport and association.
The series is set to take place at St Stithians College, in Johannesburg with the dates for each being:
South African Deaf Rugby Sevens International: 3rd and 4th of August 2024
South African Deaf Rugby Tens International: 7th and 8th of August 2024
“St Stithians College is proud to be the venue for the SA Deaf Rugby International Tournament, welcoming teams from England, Australia, Japan, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. St Stithians views this event as a unique opportunity to foster the development of rugby at our schools. The hosting of the event on our campus underscores our commitment to both inclusivity and sporting excellence, as demonstrated by the Women’s Day coaching clinic, designed to develop rugby skills in young female athletes. This initiative aligns perfectly with our plan to include rugby within our girls’ school, empowering young female athletes on our campus”, commented Celeste Gilardi, Rector of St Stithians College.
Included in this fantastic series are matchups between the England Deaf Rugby ladies, and the R10C select teams who are coached by Ryno Combrinck. They are set to clash on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th of August. Doors open at 9:30 AM daily and admission is free to all that wish to attend.
With SA Deaf Rugby trials conducted across the country you can be certain that the best of the best will be showcasing their skills. The competition requires a hearing classification of a 40DB loss. All players are over 18 years old and proudly don their national colours.
This series promises to be an unforgettable celebration of rugby, showcasing the skill and passion of Deaf Rugby players. Spectators will have the unique opportunity to watch, learn, and engage with the game, witnessing that Deaf rugby is officiated and played no differently from normal rugby. Fans will also have the chance to get signatures and photos with players and coaches from around the world.
If you can’t make it to the event in person, don’t worry! SADRA is thrilled to announce a partnership with SuperSport Schools, ensuring that every game will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Schools app. This exciting collaboration means that not only will South African fans be able to support their team, but friends, family, and fans around the world can follow the action. This global viewership will not only boost enthusiasm but also foster growth and excitement from emerging Deaf Rugby countries.
“This groundbreaking event is a significant step toward providing equal opportunities for all athletes to showcase their talents. It embodies our commitment to inclusivity and highlights the remarkable abilities of our deaf rugby players. We look forward to witnessing the passion and skill that will be on display at one of our partner schools and believe this series will inspire many more to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.” – Pearl Mashego, Marketing & Communications Manager, SuperSport Schools.
You do not want to miss out on this historic series!
South African Deaf Rugby Sevens & Tens Squad
SEVENS TEAM
Enrico Abrahams (WC)
Rodwin Beyers (WC)
Admar Claassen (GP)
Marnus Dercksen (GP)
Gerard Kroese (GP)
Arthur McGee (GP)
Patrick Molotshwa (GP)
Boitshepo Motlhala (GP)
Nkhumbuleni Nkhumeleni (GP)
Tashriq Parker (WC)
Akhanani Pasha (EC)
Leon Willemans (GP)
TENS TEAM
Enrico Abrahams (WC)
Brandon Alkaster (EC)
Mark Barnard (KZN)
Dennis Conroy (GP)
Marnus Dercksen (GP)
Andre Du Toit (GP)
Isaac Grootboom (EC)
Glentin Huisamen (EC)
Gerard Kroese (GP)
Laszlo Maya (EC)
Arthur McGee (GP)
Tashriq Parker (WC)
Rickus Prinsloo (GP)
Adin Pieters (GP)
Leon Willemans (GP)
RESERVES
Shani De Jager (GP)
Micheal Els (GP)
SADRA looks forward to welcoming any potential partners who would like to get involved and continue to develop and grow the sport. Sporting bodies or corporates that are interested can email vp@sadeafrugby.co.za for more information.
Stay connected with SADRA for updates and streaming links closer to the event.
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