Loughborough College rugby star Jodie Ounsley is in line for the 2018 Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year title at this weekend’s glittering awards ceremony.
The 17 year old sport student was part of the England team which earlier this year won all five of their games to become World Deaf Rugby 7s Champions in Sydney, Australia. Under RFU rules, players should normally be 18 or older to play senior international rugby but Jodie was granted special permission.
An outstanding year of success for Jodie also included her debut for England U18s where she scored a try against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. She also helped the Loughborough College Academy women’s rugby squad to victory in the prestigious Rosslyn Park national championships.
Jodie has signed to the elite women’s Loughborough Lightning Team and plays in the Tyrell’s Premiership, one of the world’s leading domestic leagues and she was the youngest player in the Yorkshire side at Twickenham for the County Championship, scoring a try which helped the team to national glory in a 52-0 victory against Surrey.
Born profoundly deaf, with the only outward sign of a hearing problem a small processor worn above her ear for the cochlear implant fitted when she was 14 months, Jodie also competed for Great Britain in the 100m and 200m adult events at the 23rd Deaflympics in 2017.
“I wanted to play rugby for many years but didn’t because I am profoundly deaf and this caused a few complications. They are now sorted and I’ve been playing rugby for around two and a half years – but so much has happened it feels much longer.
“I have always been competitive and have had success in several sports. In addition to representing my country at the Deaflympics, I am five times World Coal Champion and former British Champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“I’ve been on the high performance women's rugby programme at Loughborough College for just over a year and as well as representing England Under 18s I am part of the development programme in 15s and 7s. Playing for England at the Principality against Wales was definitely a highlight.”
Jodie will be lining up with tennis player Phoebe Suthers and footballer Ryan Casey at the weekend ceremony. “It’s very flattering to be nominated for the Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Award and to hear I’d made the three finalists.”
Just after being invited to trials with England U20s, Jodie sustained a shoulder injury. “That’s on hold until I’m fully fit. There will be lots of international opportunities in 2019 so I am staying positive.”
“Jodie being named as a finalist in the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Awards is a testament to the hard work she puts into her sport - and for her to excel on the national and international stage at only 17, while also achieving in her education, is doubly impressive,” added Claire Plimmer, whose role as sport work related learning coordinator at Loughborough College includes welfare support for the College’s women’s rugby Academy team.
“Although Jodie is recovering from injury, she never misses a gym session with her team mates and she has followed her rehab programme to the letter, ensuring she will be back playing rugby as soon as possible. She also continues to be around the squad and to support the girls at all their games.
“Jodie is a real inspiration to them all.”
The 2018 Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Awards take place at Emirates Old Trafford on 10 November.