Tom Witts bound for World Deaf Rugby 7s Championship

Gunnedah’s Tom Witts is set to take his rugby career to the international stage after being selected in the Australian Deaf Rugby squad for the World Deaf Rugby 7s Championship in Tokyo.

The championship will be held from 30 October to 4 November, with Australia to compete against 14 other deaf rugby nations across a tournament format including finals.

Witts was selected as a wild card replacement after an injury withdrawal opened a position in the Australian squad.

Australian Deaf Rugby president Dave Kearsey said he had first heard about Witts through contacts in Gunnedah and the Central North rugby community, with Witts quickly making an impression.

“I’d heard about Tom from friends at Gunnedah and Central North and had heard good things,” Kearsey said.

Kearsey, a former Inverell Highlander, said he also had a strong appreciation for the Gunnedah Red Devils and the culture surrounding Central North rugby.

He sought references from several contacts in the NSW rugby community, including Central North and Gunnedah identities, before offering Witts the wildcard position.

Among those to recommend Witts was Central North and club rugby legend Jimmy Perrett.

“Jimmy and a few other contacts in NSW rugby/Central North followed Tom’s performances and how he held himself,” Kearsey said.

“After talks with Tom I decided to offer him the wild card position, and I look forward to having a Central North boy in the side.”

For Witts, the selection represents an opportunity to not only compete on the world stage, but to represent his home town and the Australian deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Kearsey said Witts had approached the opportunity with humility and understood the significance of pulling on the Australian jersey.

“Tom is a great young man and very humbled to represent his community of Gunnedah and his club the Gunnedah Red Devils,” he said.

“Tom’s severe hearing loss has been no barrier to him playing one of the most physical games in the world.”

Kearsey said playing rugby while carrying a disability presented significant challenges, making Witts’s selection all the more meaningful.

“He now has the chance to stand for the national anthem with a national jersey on which is very special and well deserved,” he said.

Since joining the Australian Deaf Rugby program, Witts has also impressed with his attitude and reliability – qualities Kearsey believes will be particularly valuable in a national squad featuring players from across Australia.

“Tom is a country boy so will bring that reliability in defence and will have the attitude to not let anyone down,” Kearsey said.

“We are a national team with players from many states and territories so having a reliable country boy like Tom in the squad creates depth.”

On the field, Witts will take on a hybrid role, with the 7s format requiring him to contribute in both the backs and forwards.

He will be involved in set plays and defensive structures at different stages of matches.

Kearsey said Witts understood the responsibility that came with representing Australia.

“Tom won’t let anyone down,” he said.

“He will have an Australian jersey on representing the Australian Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and it’s not lost on him the importance of this and the enormous responsibility.”

Witts has also assured his teammates that he will give everything he has for the jersey.

“Tom assured me and his teammates that he’ll do whatever it takes and give all he has for the jersey,” Kearsey said.

The Tokyo championship represents the pinnacle of international deaf rugby, with Australia aiming to claim its first men’s World Deaf Rugby 7s title.

Kearsey said the Australian program had never won the men’s championship, despite coming close in previous finals.

This year’s squads, however, have given Australian Deaf Rugby genuine belief that history could be made.

“It is the crown jewel of World Deaf Rugby,” Kearsey said.

“Australia has never won it and have achieved second in some close final matches, but we have the strongest men’s and women’s squads we’ve ever selected and we have a genuine chance to create history and bring both trophies home to Australia on the plane.”

Before departing for Japan, Witts and his Australian teammates will attend a two-day camp in Sydney.

The camp will include a presentation ceremony at Rugby Australia headquarters, where Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and president Kristy Giteau will present players with their national ties.

The squad will also hold a final training session and community day, with friends and family, deaf schools, deaf and hearing support services and deaf community groups invited to meet the players.

Kearsey said the Red Devils can expect Witts to represent them with the same determination and character that earned him his opportunity.

“I’m sure he’ll do his family and the community of Gunnedah proud,” he said.

Tom Witts will feature in the Australian Deaf Rugby men’s team at the World Deaf Rugby 7s Championship in Tokyo. Photo: supplied.