New Zealand born, Mark Lewis was a Junior All Black and played at ‘EdenPark’ before going on to play in the ‘Probable v Possible’ trials which led to being selected to play for the ‘All Blacks’ to tour Australia. Unfortunately his career came to a sudden end after breaking his leg. Since then, he has immigrated to England (24years ago) and played county rugby for Kent and recently is at Brighton RFC as Player /Coach. Despite his antipodean roots, Mark now represents and Captains the England Deaf Rugby team.
In 2006 Mark discovered that he had a hearing loss of 35 decibels in one ear and 40 decibel loss in the other which gave him the eligibility to play for England Deaf. Since 2007 he became Captain and to date he has gained 7 Caps. In addition, Mark has been Captain for a ‘Rest of the World’ team Celebrating the Welsh Centenary of International Deaf Rugby Union, and in 2009 was Captain for England Deaf V Estonia National side (hearing). Mark was Captain for the recent International match against Wales on 14th February 2010 at Broadstreet Rugby Club, Coventry. (Wales are Deaf world champions result was England 18 Wales 25)
The England Deaf team has just been recognised by the RFU as a full International representative side.
Are you interested in joining the team?
To qualify, you only need a combined average hearing loss of 25dB or more in both ears This roughly translates to a minimum hearing loss in both ars 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 play rugby as a squad. For further details go to www.englanddeafrugby.com
