Newport Breakers Rugby Club's Tim Anstey is Captain the Australian Deaf Rugby Team on their tour of South Africa.
Tim stated, on being named Captain of the team:
The Australian Deaf Rugby have embarked on a tour of South Africa from August 3-8 as they test themselves against the rest of the world. The competition is being hosted in Sandton, Johannesburg, with Australia's Deaf Rugby team entering into the Sevens and Tens format.
The comp. began on August 3 as the Aussies face South Africa, Japan and England in the seven-a-side format, with the finals set for the following day. They will then take on the hosts and the English in a series of Tens matches before the top two sides face off on August 8.
"Unfortunately due to the spread and distance between the players we have only been able to hold one full training weekend together as a squad," Deaf Rugby Australia's Deb Coulthard said. "Men’s coach Dave Kearsey took the side through moves, attacking structure, defensive shape as well as each player’s individual role in the tour.
"We have players from so many different parts of the country so it was a great weekend to galvanise them together as a squad.
"Having a disability can be a terrible life story of hardships and disadvantage so we always make time for the players and staff to tell their honest and raw story about their deafness or hearing loss. These stories are all unique and build respect as everyone understands what the others have had to overcome to not only play rugby but to earn their way to the national squad.
"We have a professional interpreter at all times and a good mix of signing and non-signing players. The non-signing players are given Auslan signs to remember and everyone has a sign name so the severely deaf and the hard of hearing (H.O.H.) are all in an inclusive environment.
"The emphasis to the players is who they represent with the Australian jersey on. Their country, the Australian Deaf and HOH community and of course their families. In preparation for the tour all are given set moves to study as well as benchmark personal fitness and strength goals so as to leave no stone unturned."
Australia is coming off a runners up finish at the 2023 Deaf Rugby World Cup, going down to Wales in the Final.
"Every player has their own individual, unique story. All consist of overcoming the hardship of either being born deaf or losing their hearing at some stage throughout their life and having to adapt their lives," Coulthard added.
"We are fortunate to have 3 x proud Indigenous men in the squad from near Cairns in North QLD. Royden Chatfield, Robert Dalton and Paul Thaiday. Paul is originally from very remote Thursday Island. Unfortunately some of these young men lost their hearing due to a lack of appropriate medical attention and medical assistance availability in their remote communities. One from an infection caused from a cut toe that travelled through his blood to his eardrums.
"We have most players playing club rugby in NSW, QLD and TAS, there are 6 debutants coming to South Africa, something which we are proud of.
"Rugby is the tool that brings the world to these men despite their disability and gives them the opportunity to make their families and the entire Australian Deaf and HOH community proud. Throw in them simply being proud Australian men and there is REAL power in that."
Australian Deaf Rugby Union Team to Tour South Africa
Tim Anstey (c), Jack Cale, Antony McColl, Kyle Howlett, Anau Takiari, Ben Rogers, Royden Chatfield, Rob Dalton, Paul Thaiday, Josh Chapman, Noah Thick, Ron Franklin, Apenisa Donu, Dave Page, Darcey Beaven-Duncan.
The Australian Deaf Rugby on a tour of South Africa, pre-departure training session
Recap from day 1: Saturday August 3, 2024
Australia defeat South Africa: 17-7
Australia defeat Japan: 21-7
England defeat Australia: 36-19
Will play South Africa in a semi final at 6 or 6:20pm AEST today.
Some highlights from day 1:
1. Captain Tim Anstey opening Australia’s account against South Africa after a 45m effort
2. A quick tap, good hands and fancy feet from Anau Takiari
3. Ben Rogers getting a debut try for Australia after a well executed set play
4. A turnover off a lineout from Jack Cale resulting in a 50m effort
5. A spread through the hands and a good run from Kyle Howlett
6. Good work off a turnover from Tim and Jack
Tim presented with his shirt by coach DK
Player profile on the rampaging captain of the Australian men’s Deaf rugby team, Tim Anstey.
Name: Tim Anstey
Where do you live/ where you grew up: Newport, NSW
Position: Number 8
Current rugby club: Mighty Newport Breakers Newport Breakers Rugby Club
Junior rugby club: Newport Junior Rugby Club Newport Junior Rugby Club
Nickname: Timmy
If you weren’t a rugby player what other sport would you play and why: Definitely basketball. Being able to dunk on someone would be priceless
If you could take one celebrity to dinner, who would it be and why: Conor McGregor, say no more.
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The Australian Deaf Rugby team was founded in Sydney more than 15 years ago and is made up of players who have a hearing loss of at least 50 decibels in one ear or both.
Rugby Australia is a proud supporter of the team whose motto is ‘’inclusiveness’’ and prove that no matter what your level of hearing is you can pick up a Rugby ball and have some fun.
In April 2018 Australia hosted the World Deaf Rugby 7s tournament which attracted more than 180 athletes from all corners of the world including England, Ghana, Japan and Wales.
It was also the first International Deaf Women’s tournament ever staged with three female teams battling it out in Sydney. The Australian Deaf Rugby team participates in annual tournaments across the world.