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Students enrolled at Ko Taku Reo attending the bilingual provision at Ormiston Primary and Junior College meet French rugby stars Maëlle Filopon, left, and Manaé Feleu.
Tamariki who are Deaf and hard of hearing met players from the French women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 team at Eden Park on Wednesday.
The young rugby fans got the chance to toss the ball around with French rugby stars Maëlle Filopon, who is hard of hearing and plays as centre, and lock for the French women’s national rugby team Manaé Feleu.
“When we found out Maëlle was hard of hearing, we thought, ‘What a lovely opportunity for her to come and meet some kids and hopefully inspire them to get involved in sports,’” said Maryke Penman, Rugby World Cup communications manager.
The children were treated to complimentary tickets to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Saturday, and on Wednesday got to experience running out through the players’ tunnel onto the field.
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David White/Stuff
Tamariki who are Deaf and hard of hearing take turns learning how to score a try with Maëlle Filopon, who is also hard of hearing.
The students enrolled at Ko Taku Reo attending the bilingual provision at Ormiston Primary and Junior College, then took turns learning how to score a try under the guidance of rugby stars Filopon and Feleu.
“I haven’t met many people in my life who are hard of hearing and I like being around them,” said Filopon.
The 25-year-old said being hard of hearing made it difficult to communicate with the crowd being so loud during games, but she had “no choice but to deal with it”.
“If I need anything I go to my partner on the field to ask, but when we are far, it is very difficult because they don’t sign,” she said.
“It’s also challenging hearing the referee.”
But she was glad she got to meet the children and hoped some would grow up to be rugby players just like her, she said.
“Sports has always been a powerful way for Deaf children to meet and connect,” said Amanda Everitt Deaf strategic lead Ko Taku Reo.
David White/Stuff
Sports can be a powerful way for Deaf children to meet and connect, according to Amanda Everitt, Deaf strategic lead Ko Taku Reo.
“When the students meet a Deaf or hard of hearing adult, it gives them hope they can grow up and do something like play rugby for a world team – and that’s really powerful to see.
“It’s good they can finally see a Deaf or hard of hearing player playing on the pitch in a big game.”
She said some Deaf children grow up never having met any other Deaf people, and as a result don’t understand what it means to be a Deaf adult.
“This is why this is really important and quite powerful. They get a better sense of who they are as Deaf or hard of hearing people when they meet others just like them.
“Children see others as a mirror of who they are. Being surrounded by other people who are Deaf or hard of hearing means they can start to strategise and navigate their path through the world as Deaf or hard of hearing people.”
Stuff
Here’s some inspiration to get the ball rolling… including some moves from genuine rugby stars. Go the Black Ferns! Pass It On!
