Congratulations to Sandbach RUFC’s Matt Barlow, who earned the first of hopefully many caps when he played for England Deaf against Jamaica Deaf on Saturday 14th March. The match was played at Milton Keynes RFC, where the teams competed for the James Clarke Memorial Cup.

Matt, 19, started on the wing but played most of the game at centre, earning cap 189 as England lost 34-36 with the last kick of the game. Matt, who scored a try, was one of twelve debutants and will be hoping to be selected in the next match against Wales.
The laws of deaf rugby are exactly the same as rugby union. The only difference is that the players all have some form of hearing loss. Matt says that he is one of the first players in the England Deaf team to wear bilateral cochlear implants for both ears.

Matt, who went to Sandbach School, is a former Sandbach Mini and Junior player and was part of a highly successful recent Senior Colts team. He comes back to play senior rugby at the club, where he plays both on the wing, at full-back and at centre.
Sandbach RUFC’s Director of Rugby Andrew Bird said:
“Congratulations to Matt. He has balanced his university studies, with progression through the deaf pathway and playing senior rugby as well. He has also played for Cheshire Under 20s this season.
“We are always keen for all our players to gain additional experiences in the game as this only makes them better players and people. This is high up on our agenda at Sandbach RUFC.”

England Deaf

England Deaf make rugby accessible to all deaf and hard of hearing players. They have three aims:
1.⁠ ⁠To promote the participation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people into healthy recreational activity, in particular Rugby Union.
2.⁠ ⁠To provide education through promoting awareness of the Deaf and hard of hearing community and their strengths and skills through the game of rugby union.
3.⁠ ⁠To provide opportunities to those in need, including those who are young people, at risk of ill health, have a disability or other social or economic disadvantage.
To find out more, visit: https://www.englanddeafrugby.co.uk/

Photos by Gary Bide
Gary Bide Photography - https://www.garybidephotography.com/