Broadstreet has been a regular home venue for England Deaf for the last three years and last year hosted a keenly-contested international against Wales.
England, who were beaten 25-18 by Wales in that match, begin their short international season with a re-match at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road ground on February 5 (2.30pm).
England, who have played Essex Bishops and Northamptonshire Police in warm-up matches, have yet to beat Wales in six meetings at this level.
Players are eligible to play for the England Deaf rugby team if they have a combined average 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 can hear normally 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.
England Deaf Rugby Union can offer Deaf Awareness advice to clubs and schools, help integrate deaf and hard of hearing players to clubs and liaise with club members to ensure the players are managed correctly.
Published: 26/01/2010
Source: http://www.rfu.com/News/2011/January/News%20Articles/200111_england_deaf.aspx
