Auckland to Host International Launch of Blind Rugby

RELEASE: AUCKLAND TO HOST INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH OF BLIND RUGBY

Thursday 8 June 2017

Auckland New Zealand has been confirmed as the host for the International Launch of Blind Rugby, an adapted format of New Zealand’s national sporting passion that makes Rugby accessible to the blind and low vision community.

The Change Foundation (United Kingdom) and Blind Sport New Zealand will officially launch the code in Auckland this July, with international launch events set to include the World’s first Blind Rugby International Test Match fixture on 6 July at QBE Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore, between the Blind Lions and the New Zealand Blind Rugby national team.

The 6 July Test Match will kick-off at 1.40pm and is Game 1 in a three fixture Test Series between the two teams.

Blind Rugby makes Rugby accessible to the blind and low vision community through an adapted 7-a-side format of the sport.

The Change Foundation was excited by the opportunity to internationally launch the code in New Zealand, the spiritual home of Rugby.

“We [The Change Foundation] are tremendously excited about the International launch of Blind Rugby on the biggest stage of all”.

“We have a rich history of developing blind sport and had a significant role in the formation of Blind Cricket in England and internationally. This led to participation in World Cups, the Blind Cricket Ashes Series and multiple International tours and we hope to replicate this success with Blind Rugby”.

“Blind Rugby is our contribution to the ever widening rugby family across the world. We look forward to developing this sport with partners like Blind Sport New Zealand” Andy Sellins, CEO The Change Foundation.

Blind Sport New Zealand, New Zealand’s lead organisation for blind, deafblind and low vision sport and recreation welcomed the opportunity to partner in the process of making New Zealand’s national game accessible to the blind and low vision community, and host the international launch.

“Every New Zealander has the right to participate in sport. It’s Blind Sport New Zealand’s mission to make sport and recreation opportunity accessible to blind and low vision Kiwis, and Blind Rugby makes New Zealand’s national sport available to our community” Dan Shepherd, National Manager Blind Sport New Zealand said of the opportunity to make Rugby accessible to New Zealanders living with sight loss.

Blind Rugby will be officially launched in Auckland on 5 July at Dans le Noir? at Rydges Auckland (59 Federal St, Auckland CBD). Media are invited to attend the international launch starting at 6.00pm, with formal launch proceedings followed by dinner with Blind Rugby launch partners Dans le Noir? at Rydges Auckland offering guests and media a unique culinary, human and social experience, dining in the dark.

Representatives from The Change Foundation and Blind Sport New Zealand will be available for comment on Blind Rugby and what the launch of Blind Rugby means to the blind and low vision community, with the Blind Lions and NZ Blind Rugby teams also attending.

The Change Foundation and Blind Sport New Zealand acknowledges the support of Blind Rugby Partners QBE, Greater London Fund for the Blind (UK), Blind Foundation, Packaworld, SportsLink, Dans le Noir? at Rydges Auckland and Auckland Rugby Union (New Zealand).

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