Deafblind Nottinghamshire woman hopes Women's Rugby World Cup inspires others
The Red roses play France this afternoon in the semi-final of the tournament
The Red roses face France today for a place in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup.
The tournament hosts are clear favourites to go through, having won their past 16 matches against France.
Claire Robotham is from Nottingham and is a deafblind player, who says taking up rugby enhanced her life massively by improving her self-belief, fitness and mental health.
She shared how it's given her a sense of freedom despite her deteriorating vision, and hearing:
"I kind of grew up around rugby watching the Six Nations and the World Cup as a kid with the family. Obviously it was all the men's back then. Women's wasn't really on the map. But then one day the grassroots in my local town, had some trials, so I went along to where they were training and just sort of said, can I have a go? That's how it kind of all started.
"I am visually impaired and I do have a hearing impairment as well, so when I first walked across that pitch to have a go, I never envisioned actually being able to play games, have that camaraderie and just enjoy being part of the team.
"It's something I never thought I would be able to do. But now, six months later, I'm on the team sheet and playing games."
The local club to Claire has even implemented a pen for her guide dog to sit in when she is playing.
Explaining the practicalities of playing with a fully sighted rugby team, Claire said:
“Generally, it’s such a structured game. When I play, the scrum cap protects my ears and hearing aids. My teammates know I have no peripheral vision and have used simulation glasses to see what I can see.
"It works through communication. I play second row, in one of the forward positions. I started at the back, but this is a bit easier. My tunnel vision generally means I can follow the ball well on the pitch. If I struggle, I’ll ask a particular teammate and they’ll direct me.
"On a matchday, I’ll introduce myself to the referee and other captain and my disability has never been an issue. They don’t treat me any differently and they’ll still tackle me if I’m on the ball!
Rugby lets me forget that I’m visually impaired, although I get frustrated if I feel I should have seen something, but I’m not judged for it. I’m accepted and being part of a team is a bigger thing than just me.”
It's hoped the women's world cup tournament inspires more women into the sport.