Rugby MP Mark Pawsey welcomed the England Deaf team to Parliament last week to help to raise awareness of deaf rugby.
Around 20 players and officials from the England Deaf Rugby Union, including two members of the England Deaf Women’s team, visited Parliament as part of a day of activities organised by Parliament’s Outreach Service in partnership with the British Deaf Association.
Mark welcomed the group in his capacity as Chairman of the Commons & Lords Rugby Club and the Parliamentary Ambassador for next year’s Rugby World Cup being hosted in the UK.
Speaking after the visit Mark said:
“It was great to host the England Deaf Rugby team in Parliament and to learn more about how Parliamentarians can help raise awareness of deaf rugby and be more responsive to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community.”
Mark added:
“In recent years Parliament has made great strides in this area but I am committed to do more.”
Lyndon James, Secretary of England Deaf Rugby Union said:
“England Deaf Rugby Union and members of the England Deaf Rugby team were very pleased to be invited to tour the Houses of Parliament.”
The England Deaf Rugby Union was formed in 2003 to provide opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing rugby players to play for their country.
Players are eligible to play for England Deaf and the England Deaf Rugby Union for Women if they have a combined hearing loss of 25db or more in both ears. This roughly translates to a minimum hearing loss in both ears or a moderate hearing loss in one ear but with normal hearing in the other.
Not all of the players wear hearing aids or only communicate by sign language and this has never stopped all the players communicating and playing rugby as a squad.
EDRU offers Deaf Awareness advice to clubs and schools to help integrate deaf and hard of hearing players.