Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union

Australian Sports Commission

15 Mar 201010:44

Summary

TLDRThe transcript details the passion and challenges of deaf rugby players and the founder of Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union. It highlights the importance of inclusion, the need for better communication between deaf and hearing communities in sports, and the founder's personal journey to create opportunities for deaf rugby players. The founder's ambition to grow the sport and improve the skills of deaf players to match those of hearing players is emphasized, showcasing the potential for future expansion and community building.

Takeaways

🏉 The speaker has a deep passion for rugby, appreciating its fast pace and the various skills it requires.
🌟 Growing up with rugby, the speaker is a self-proclaimed 'rugby tragic', highlighting their lifelong dedication to the sport.
🤝 The Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union was established to provide opportunities for deaf rugby players, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.
👥 The union was formed in late 2007/2008 by the speaker, who took the initiative to create a team for deaf players.
🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of deaf individuals participating in both hearing and deaf clubs to gain experience and challenge societal perceptions.
👂 Deaf athletes often face communication barriers and feel disenfranchised, but deaf rugby offers a supportive community.
👶 A visit to St Dominic's School, where deaf children were eager to meet the speaker, illustrates the inspiring impact of visibility and representation.
🧐 Deaf people need assistance in organizing and coaching rugby, indicating areas where support from the hearing community is crucial.
🌐 The speaker, being an ex-deaf rugby player and a coach, bridges the gap between the hearing and deaf worlds, advocating for better communication and understanding.
📝 Effective communication strategies such as body language, writing notes, and one-on-one interactions are essential for coaching deaf players.
🚀 The speaker's ambition is to grow deaf rugby, improve skills, and maintain strong ties with the deaf community, with a vision for a more inclusive future.

Q & A

What does the speaker love about rugby?
-The speaker loves rugby because it is fast, involves a lot of different skills, and promotes organization skills both on and off the field.
Why did the speaker form the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union?
-The speaker formed the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union because there were not many opportunities for deaf people in the community to play rugby.
When was the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Team formed?
-The Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Team was formed in late 2007/2008.
What was the purpose of forming the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Team?
-The purpose of forming the team was to give deaf rugby players a chance to play the game.
Why is it important for deaf people to get involved in hearing clubs?
-It is important for deaf people to get involved in hearing clubs to gain experience, open their eyes, and challenge the tendency of hearing people to sideline deaf people.
How does the lack of communication affect deaf athletes?
-The lack of communication can make deaf athletes feel disenfranchised and unmotivated, as they may not feel included or understand what is happening on and off the field.
What was the speaker's experience when visiting St Dominic's School?
-The speaker was overwhelmed with pride and a sense of achievement when visiting St Dominic's School, where deaf children were excited to see them and eager to learn about rugby.
What challenges do deaf rugby players face in hearing clubs?
-Deaf rugby players in hearing clubs may face challenges such as not being given the proper opportunity to express themselves, feeling left out of the loop, and being placed in positions where their communication difficulties are highlighted.
How can hearing clubs better support deaf players?
-Hearing clubs can better support deaf players by educating coaches on how to communicate with deaf players, using written notes, and being more graphic with body language to ensure understanding.
What is the speaker's ambition regarding deaf rugby?
-The speaker's ambition is to grow deaf rugby, make it bigger than it is today, and maintain contact with the deaf community to have life experiences in different areas.
How does the speaker suggest involving deaf players in rugby?
-The speaker suggests involving deaf players by using basic communication skills, body language, interpreters, and one-on-one communication, as well as spending time with them before, during, and after training.

Outlines

00:00

🏉 Founding Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union

The speaker expresses a deep love for rugby, highlighting its fast pace and the various skills it requires. They recount their history with the sport, mentioning their involvement with deaf rugby players and the establishment of the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union. The union was created to provide opportunities for deaf rugby players, who often lack community representation. The speaker takes pride in forming the team and reaching out to players, aiming to foster a sense of community and improve their rugby skills. They also discuss the importance of deaf individuals participating in both hearing and deaf clubs to gain experience and challenge societal misconceptions about their capabilities.

05:00

🤝 Bridging the Gap Between Hearing and Deaf Rugby

The speaker, an ex-deaf rugby player and coach, discusses the challenges faced by deaf rugby players in terms of administration and coaching. They emphasize the need for support from hearing clubs to improve the self-esteem and skills of deaf players. The speaker shares their personal experience of playing in a hearing club and the importance of effective communication. They suggest various methods to enhance understanding between deaf players and coaches, such as using body language, interpreters, and one-on-one communication. The speaker also talks about their ambition to grow deaf rugby and their involvement with a hearing club's Under 16 team, where they are learning coaching skills to apply in the deaf rugby community.

10:02

🎓 Ambitions for Deaf Rugby and Personal Development

In this paragraph, the speaker outlines their personal ambitions related to deaf rugby. They express a desire to grow the sport and maintain strong connections with the deaf community. The speaker is currently working towards a level one coaching qualification and is eager to apply their learnings to improve deaf rugby. They also emphasize the importance of life experiences and the ambition to be successful in their endeavors.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rugby

Rugby is a full-contact team sport that originated in England. It involves two teams of seven players each, competing to score by carrying the ball across the field and touching it down in the opponent's in-goal area. In the context of the video, rugby is a central theme, with the speaker expressing a deep love for the game and its fast pace, which requires a variety of skills and physical engagement. The speaker's enthusiasm for rugby is evident when they mention being a 'rugby tragic' and the re-energizing effect it has on them.

💡Deaf Rugby Players

Deaf rugby players are individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and participate in the sport of rugby. The video script highlights the challenges and unique experiences of these players, who often face communication barriers in traditional rugby settings. The speaker discusses their personal history as an ex-rugby player and their commitment to forming a team for deaf players, the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union, to provide opportunities and a sense of community.

💡Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union

The Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union is an organization mentioned in the script, founded by the speaker to create a space for deaf rugby players to play the sport they love. It was established in late 2007/2008 with the aim of providing a platform for deaf individuals to engage in rugby, which was previously limited due to a lack of opportunities. The formation of this union is a significant part of the speaker's narrative, showcasing their initiative and dedication to inclusivity in sports.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity in the context of the video refers to the practice of including people with different abilities, such as deafness, in activities and opportunities that might otherwise be exclusive to those without such challenges. The speaker emphasizes the importance of deaf individuals participating in both hearing and deaf clubs to gain experience and develop their skills. The video underscores the need for greater inclusivity in sports, particularly in rugby, to ensure that deaf players have equal opportunities to participate and thrive.

💡Communication

Communication is a key aspect of team sports, and the video discusses the unique challenges that deaf rugby players face in this regard. The speaker mentions the importance of effective communication between coaches and players, suggesting strategies such as using body language, interpreters, and written notes to ensure understanding. The video highlights how improved communication can enhance the rugby experience for deaf players and help them feel more included and valued within their teams.

💡Deaf Community

The deaf community refers to the social network of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, often sharing a common language, culture, and experiences. In the video, the speaker discusses the significance of the deaf community in providing support, opportunities, and a sense of belonging for deaf rugby players. The formation of the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union is an example of how the community can come together to create spaces where deaf individuals can participate in sports on an equal footing.

💡Self-Esteem

Self-esteem in the context of the video pertains to the confidence and self-worth of deaf rugby players, which can be affected by their experiences in predominantly hearing environments. The speaker notes that some deaf players may need additional support to improve their self-esteem, particularly in hearing clubs where they might feel excluded or unable to communicate effectively. The video suggests that by fostering better communication and understanding, the rugby community can help boost the self-esteem of deaf players.

💡Coaching

Coaching in the video is discussed in relation to the specific challenges and strategies needed when working with deaf rugby players. The speaker, who is an ex-deaf rugby player and a coach, emphasizes the importance of understanding how to communicate effectively with deaf players and adapt coaching methods to suit their needs. Coaching is presented as a critical aspect of enhancing the rugby experience for deaf players and helping them to develop their skills and confidence.

💡Hearing Clubs

Hearing clubs refer to rugby clubs that are primarily composed of hearing individuals. The video script discusses the experiences of deaf players within these clubs, highlighting the barriers they face, such as communication difficulties and a lack of understanding from coaches and teammates. The speaker suggests that hearing clubs can improve their inclusivity by educating coaches on how to communicate with deaf players and by being more open-minded and tolerant.

💡Opportunities

Opportunities in the video script refer to the chances and resources available for deaf rugby players to participate in the sport. The speaker laments the lack of opportunities for deaf individuals in the community and the establishment of the Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union as a response to this need. The video underscores the importance of creating more opportunities for deaf players to engage in rugby and to develop their skills alongside their hearing counterparts.

💡Ambition

Ambition in the context of the video is the speaker's personal goal and drive to grow and improve the state of deaf rugby. The speaker expresses a desire to increase the size and influence of deaf rugby, to maintain connections with the deaf community, and to gain diverse life experiences. This ambition is demonstrated through their involvement in coaching and their pursuit of further qualifications, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the rugby experience for deaf players and contributing to the sport's development.

Highlights

The speaker expresses love for the game, highlighting its fast pace and the variety of skills it involves.

Rugby is described as promoting organisation skills both on and off the field.

The speaker's passion for rugby is evident, referring to themselves as a 'rugby tragic'.

The formation of Southern Cross Deaf Rugby Union is discussed, driven by a lack of opportunities for deaf players.

The speaker takes pride in creating a team for deaf rugby players, aiming to provide them with a game.

The importance of involvement in clubs for both hearing and deaf individuals is emphasized.

Challenges faced by deaf people in hearing clubs are discussed, including communication barriers.

Deaf rugby is portrayed as a community that caters to everyone and provides a chance for participation.

A visit to St Dominic's School is recounted, where deaf children showed great enthusiasm for the sport.

The speaker's role as a coach in both hearing and deaf clubs is highlighted, emphasizing the need for understanding and communication.

The speaker discusses the challenges of coaching and the need for patience and open-mindedness.

Strategies for effective communication with deaf players are suggested, such as using body language and interpreters.

The ambition to grow deaf rugby and improve the skill level of players is shared.

The speaker's involvement with a hearing club as an assistant coach is mentioned, showing a commitment to learning and development.

The importance of spending time with deaf players to understand their individual traits and improve communication is emphasized.