EDRU Tour to South Africa, August 2024

We are England Deaf Rugby Union.

We are a charity aimed at getting Deaf and partially hearing men and women into rugby.

We were severely impacted by Covid (as had the nation), specifically, as we had planned going on tour to South Africa pre COVID in 2020.

In the final throes of the pandemic, South Africa was hit quite hard with their infection and death rates so all plans went from postponed to cancelled.

We play community games as part of our charitable status. This also helps raise Deaf awareness.

We play International games and have played in recent years against Italy, New Zealand and Wales Deaf alongside playing in the Deaf Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2018 and again in 2023.

Our women were the World Champions at the first championships, Wales women being the current title holders.

Our men came runners up in Australia and 3rd in the World Deaf 7s, held in April 2023, Argentina.

We have also played in Bulgaria.

International games governed by World Deaf Rugby the hearing limit is 40 dcb

We have players from all over the country and to be involved does require some commitment both physically and financially, from all those involved.

Travelling to and Touring South Africa at the end of this season in August 2024 is now completely possible and all the players and coaching and management are eager to make it happen.

Our plans are to take a 25 strong men's and women's squad, along with 10 essential coaching management, interpreters, medical/physios, photographer, totalling 60.

We will be playing South Africa and hope to secure another fixture in the run up to August.

Going on Tour to South Africa is important to us as we would embrace the opportunity at meeting and competing against another nation of Deaf rugby players and celebrate our love for rugby, enjoy a game, and make memories, bringing Deaf sportsmen and women together, who without opportunities such as these would not be fortunate enough to make their mark in history.

There is no feeling like the one you get when pulling on that shirt and playing with the Rose on your chest.

To play for cause and country is such an incredible honour.

It also brings lifetime friendships, not only with their fellow players but other Deaf people.worldwide, who understand each other, and have a camraderie that is unmatched elsewhere.

As a charity (charity number 1134194) we receive no funding and rely on solely on sponsorship, fundraising and memberships to pay for essentials that the players need, and also essentials for the organisation to exist and run.

This GoFundme is a group fundraiser and any help or sponsorship would be gratefully received so that we can make this tour to South Africa a reality.