Breaking Barriers Through Rugby and Sign Language
In partnership with the Dominican Deaf School and Villager RFC, The Atlas Foundation South Africa is using the transformative power of rugby to empower young deaf boys and girls, helping them build confidence, skills, and friendships that transcend barriers.
Development Goals
Education
Social Inclusion
Equality
Situation
Across South Africa, deaf and hard-of-hearing children face significant barriers to inclusion, communication, and opportunity. Limited access, a lack of widespread sign language understanding, and social isolation often leave these young people feeling in despair and frustration. Communication barriers can make everyday life difficult, impacting confidence, classroom engagement, and social development. The children at Dominican Deaf School have an exceptionally tough time, and many come from extremely challenging backgrounds. Above all, their biggest wish is to engage with young hearing children and to belong.
Solution
The Villager FC Deaf Rugby programme provides a safe, inclusive, year-round rugby environment for 50 deaf girls and boys. Through exceptional coaching from Villager RFC and Girl Power, alongside sign language interpreters, participants take part in structured twice-weekly training sessions designed to build rugby skills, teamwork, and resilience.
Importantly, the programme creates genuine integration. Children from other Atlas South Africa programmes are learning sign language to communicate with their deaf teammates. This two-way exchange builds mutual understanding, respect, and lifelong friendships.
Teachers report that after training sessions, participants return to school calmer, more focused, and better able to engage in the classroom. On the field, they are free from limitations; laughing, learning, and expressing themselves with confidence. For these youngsters who are living in the school hostel during term time, these twice-weekly sessions are a highlight of their week.
Testimonials
“Deaf Rugby is a place where they can be themselves and express themselves on the field. They come from a very difficult environment, struggling in the classroom, dealing with the silence in their heads. Their time on the field gives them a voice, and the excitement of being accepted and appreciated and knowing that they are experiencing and doing what the hearing community is doing, because they are getting special treatment from the Atlas Foundation!“
- Create inclusive sporting opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth.
- Provide structured coaching in a safe and supportive environment.
- Build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork.
- Promote integration between deaf and hearing children.
- Break down social and communication barriers through sport.
- Equipment and kit.
- Transport and programme coordination.
- £500 provides a month’s salary for 4 rugby coaches reaching 50 programme participants.
Impact
Education
- Improved classroom focus and engagement following training sessions.
- Increased confidence that supports wider academic participation.
- Teaching and nurturing confidence, skills and teamwork both on and off the field.
Social Inclusion
Meaningful interaction between deaf and hearing children through shared sport, fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment for all players and reducing social isolation.
Equality
- Breaking down barriers to ensure young dead people experience the same opportunities.
- Providing a safe space where children are free of limitations and participating on equal terms.