NZ Deaf Rugby Team in Wales

1998 •

See Hear reports on the New Zealand Deaf Rugby team’s tour of the UK in 1998.

In 1998 the New Zealand Deaf Rugby team toured the United Kingdom, playing three test matches against the national Deaf Wales team. NZ won the series 3-0. See Hear cover the NZ team’s visit and an interviewer meets them during a training session to learn more about the team.

Note: See Hear is a weekly magazine show for the deaf and hard of hearing community in the UK, presented in BSL with voice-over and subtitles in English throughout the programme. The show covers a broad range of topics including education, deaf people’s rights, technology, language and entertainment.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

Making History: The Deaf Blacks’ First Overseas Tour to Wales (1998)

In 1998, the New Zealand Deaf Blacks travelled overseas for the first time, touring Wales. The trip was expensive, with each player needing to raise $6,000, but after fundraising and securing grants, they reduced the cost to about $3,700 per player. When they arrived, one player’s bag was lost, and he had to manage for a week with donated clothing and gear. Despite the challenges, the team was warmly welcomed, receiving free meals from Deaf clubs and rugby clubs, with only two dinners paid for themselves. Some players stayed on to travel, making it a memorable and rewarding experience.