On a usual weekend, Sian Mills is Kempston Rugby Club’s sports therapist but come August, Mills will be donning the boots for England herself after she was selected for the England Deaf squad’s summer tour of South Africa in August.
Funding for international deaf rugby is limited, so all players have been asked to fundraise the £2,200 required to fund the trip, which includes flights, accommodation and kit, and Mills needs your help.
You can donate to Sian’s fundraiser here.
In addition, Mills has been chosen as vice-captain so her motivation to reach the South African shores are even higher.
“I’ve been an England deaf rugby player since I was 17 and have recently been given the chance to represent my country for this test match series in August 2024, where we will be going to play a test match series against South Africa.
“[They are] a team that have worked extremely hard to set their women side up. Being given this opportunity and absolute honour to not only pull on that white jersey but represent the deaf community means everything to me.
“Alongside this I have been selected as a vice captain is an even bigger excuse to give it my all pre and during being out there”, said Mills.
The England Deaf squad recently played in Bedford, against a Bedford Blues Invitational side, romping home to a 55-17 victory at Bedford Ath.
Read: England deaf rugby squads take the spoils in special double header
The Men are also travelling to South Africa and also have to meet the fundraising requirements, with no money allocated to international tours in the Deaf game.
Mills has already £920 of the £2,200 required but needs the help of Bedfordians to help her achieve her milestone and mark an important tour as an England vice-captain.
The link to Sian’s fundraiser can be found here.
