This week Bill Carne was delighted to meet up with Ryan Foot to look back on his remarkable feat in being part of Wales’ recent gold medal-winning team in the World Cup for players with hearing disabilities . . .

When the Wales Deaf Rugby Squad returned from their participation in the World Rugby Cup for teams with hearing disabilities they all had winners' medals after a great tournament in Sydney, Australia, and the youngest member, was 18 year old Ryan Foot, who hails from Fishguard.

It was a fitting tribute to his determination because he has wanted to represent his country at this level for almost as he can remember - and he is an inspiration to all others with hearing difficulties because he is adamant that,

"It's the ability, not disability that counts," and to help promote that mantra he was at the Junior Rugby Finals' day in Haverfordwest all day on a recent Sunday, chatting to as many young people as possible and helping to present the medals to children from under 7s to under 15s levels.

It is a role that he is well used to because Ryan is a Platinum Ambassador with Sport Pembrokeshire and is committed to encouraging others to take up some sort of sport or leisure activity as he studies Marine Engineering at Pembrokeshire College.

"I love to see other young people taking part and if they approach me I do my level best to find where they can get involved - and it's surprising what is available.

"For example, I love playing rugby but I have also discovered that refereeing junior games is almost as good as playing," and Ryan certainly practises what he preaches because the weekend after returned from Oz he was officiating at games on Saturday afternoon when Fishguard & Goodwick's junior section entertained a touring English Club who brought four different age-group teams with them!

Ryan found out about the chance to represent the Welsh Rugby Deaf team through social media and he needed no second bidding to contact officials - and then attend a series of trials where he had to show his capabilities, which meant travelling to the Welsh RU  headquarters.

"We were told by e-mail that we were in the squad of 19 and although we all played under the Welsh banner we might be competing for Wales or Welsh Barbarians, but always as one squad to travel to Sydney to take on other countries like the Australia, England, New Zealand, Fiji and the rest.

"There were more training sessions at the superb facility at Ystrad Mynach and at first the training was a killer but I soon got used to it and I added to my exercise as I picked my mother up after college and drove to Scleddau before she drove the rest of the way home and I had a three-mile run.

“We didn't know how many members of the Welsh squad there would be but it turned out to be 19 so we could field two teams under coach James Savastano - and there was an intense build-up before we flew out from Heathrow Airport on the 17th April.

"We had already been measured up for our rugby kit, blazer and tie, training top, tee shirts and leisure shorts and by then we had already forged a genuine camaraderie so the 21 hour flight, via Dubai, wasn't too bad as we got on well.

"We stayed in a nice hostel (we only used it for eating and sleeping because we spent so much time training or going to watch some rugby league between The Ribbitohs and the Broncos , or top rugby union as extra treats.

"Once we had settled in from the flight we had to get used to the morning heat at our training facility at the University Of  Phillips Field and there was a memorable opening ceremony at Wanda Surf Life-Saving Club.

"On the first day of fixtures I was in the Welsh Barbarians and we started against one of the favourites in Fiji and maintained a firmly-structured game which stifled some huge opposition as we won 19-12 and I managed to get some big tackles in which the coach was pleased about.

"We followed this with a solid win against Fiji B and then had our best win as we beat a combined Hong Kong and Argentinian side by 31-0 to finish a great day as The Welsh A team also won their matches.

"The second day wasn't so successful for us as we lost to Japan and the Australian Barbarians after we had suffered some injuries but knew we were OK for the knockout stages..

"Before then, however, it was ANZAC DAY and we had a day off so I was able to climb Sidney Harbour Bridge with my father Noel and enjoyed stunning views across the harbour which we will both never forget.

“Unfortunately my mother Mandi was at home looking after my younger brother Creegan, who was studying for his GCSEs, and it was the only down moment of a special day for both of us because it would have been perfect if they had been there."

Then it was back onto the rugby as Ryan and Co beat Japan 19-15 but their clear route to the semi-finals was cut off  when Japan protested against what they saw as an illegal player and officials ordered a rematch - which Japan won again by 10-5!

The A team beat the Australian Barbarians and the Fijian Barbarians en route to the final and all the still-fit players were included in the squad as Wales played the 'Old Enemy' England and won 21-15 with a last-ditch try.

"The medal presentation and the closing ceremony were amazing, the latter on a large boat cruising around the harbour - and then it was back on the plane for another marathon flight via Dubai and a special press conference back at Sophia Gardens

It was a great moment but matched two days later when Ryan made his 15-a-side debut in the test match against Australia where he came on with 35 minutes to go and was praised by his coach for his non-stop tackling.

"We caused another shock by beating them 32-5 and we celebrated as a team in achieving such an amazing result!

“It was a wonderful experience and as well as winning perhaps the best thing was the lasting friendships amongst a squad who stuck together and hopefully will be involved again next season with James Savastano, Gwyn Griffiths (Chairman), Mark Greenish (Secretary) and Saskia Blair (fitness coach).

"Everyone at home has been brilliant and I would like to thank everyone for making such a fuss of me, especially at the recent County Junior Finals, where I presented medals and everyone wanted to see mine."

Chat to Ryan for a short time and it is easy to see how thrilled he is to achieve his ambition - and long may he continue to grace rugby because he is a remarkable young man!

This week Bill Carne was delighted to meet up with Ryan Foot to look back on his remarkable feat in being part of Wales’ recent gold medal-winning team in the World Cup for players with hearing disabilities . . .

When the Wales Deaf Rugby Squad returned from their participation in the World Rugby Cup for teams with hearing disabilities they all had winners' medals after a great tournament in Sydney, Australia, and the youngest member, was 18 year old Ryan Foot, who hails from Fishguard.

It was a fitting tribute to his determination because he has wanted to represent his country at this level for almost as he can remember - and he is an inspiration to all others with hearing difficulties because he is adamant that,

"It's the ability, not disability that counts," and to help promote that mantra he was at the Junior Rugby Finals' day in Haverfordwest all day on a recent Sunday, chatting to as many young people as possible and helping to present the medals to children from under 7s to under 15s levels.

It is a role that he is well used to because Ryan is a Platinum Ambassador with Sport Pembrokeshire and is committed to encouraging others to take up some sort of sport or leisure activity as he studies Marine Engineering at Pembrokeshire College.

"I love to see other young people taking part and if they approach me I do my level best to find where they can get involved - and it's surprising what is available.

"For example, I love playing rugby but I have also discovered that refereeing junior games is almost as good as playing," and Ryan certainly practises what he preaches because the weekend after returned from Oz he was officiating at games on Saturday afternoon when Fishguard & Goodwick's junior section entertained a touring English Club who brought four different age-group teams with them!

Ryan found out about the chance to represent the Welsh Rugby Deaf team through social media and he needed no second bidding to contact officials - and then attend a series of trials where he had to show his capabilities, which meant travelling to the Welsh RU  headquarters.

"We were told by e-mail that we were in the squad of 19 and although we all played under the Welsh banner we might be competing for Wales or Welsh Barbarians, but always as one squad to travel to Sydney to take on other countries like the Australia, England, New Zealand, Fiji and the rest.

"There were more training sessions at the superb facility at Ystrad Mynach and at first the training was a killer but I soon got used to it and I added to my exercise as I picked my mother up after college and drove to Scleddau before she drove the rest of the way home and I had a three-mile run.

“We didn't know how many members of the Welsh squad there would be but it turned out to be 19 so we could field two teams under coach James Savastano - and there was an intense build-up before we flew out from Heathrow Airport on the 17th April.

"We had already been measured up for our rugby kit, blazer and tie, training top, tee shirts and leisure shorts and by then we had already forged a genuine camaraderie so the 21 hour flight, via Dubai, wasn't too bad as we got on well.

"We stayed in a nice hostel (we only used it for eating and sleeping because we spent so much time training or going to watch some rugby league between The Ribbitohs and the Broncos , or top rugby union as extra treats.

"Once we had settled in from the flight we had to get used to the morning heat at our training facility at the University Of  Phillips Field and there was a memorable opening ceremony at Wanda Surf Life-Saving Club.

"On the first day of fixtures I was in the Welsh Barbarians and we started against one of the favourites in Fiji and maintained a firmly-structured game which stifled some huge opposition as we won 19-12 and I managed to get some big tackles in which the coach was pleased about.

"We followed this with a solid win against Fiji B and then had our best win as we beat a combined Hong Kong and Argentinian side by 31-0 to finish a great day as The Welsh A team also won their matches.

"The second day wasn't so successful for us as we lost to japan and the Australian Barbarians after we had suffered some injuries but knew we were OK for the knockout stages..

"Before then, however, it was ANZAC DAY and we had a day off so I was able to climb Sidney Harbour Bridge with my father Noel and enjoyed stunning views across the harbour which we will both never forget.

“Unfortunately my mother Mandi was at home looking after my younger brother Creegan, who was studying for his GCSEs, and it was the only down moment of a special day for both of us because it would have been perfect if they had been there."

Then it was back onto the rugby as Ryan and Co beat Japan 19-15 but their clear route to the semi-finals was cut off  when Japan protested against what they saw as an illegal player and officials ordered a rematch - which Japan won again by 10-5!

The A team beat the Australian Barbarians and the Fijian Barbarians en route to the final and all the still-fit players were included in the squad as Wales played the 'Old Enemy' England and won 21-15 with a last-ditch try.

"The medal presentation and the closing ceremony were amazing, the latter on a large boat cruising around the harbour - and then it was back on the plane for another marathon flight via Dubai and a special press conference back at Sophia Gardens

It was a great moment but matched two days later when Ryan made his 15-a-side debut in the test match against Australia where he came on with 35 minutes to go and was praised by his coach for his non-stop tackling.

"We caused another shock by beating them 32-5 and we celebrated as a team in achieving such an amazing result!

“It was a wonderful experience and as well as winning perhaps the best thing was the lasting friendships amongst a squad who stuck together and hopefully will be involved again next season with James Savastano, Gwyn Griffiths (Chairman), Mark Greenish (Secretary) and Saskia Blair (fitness coach).

"Everyone at home has been brilliant and I would like to thank everyone for making such a fuss of me, especially at the recent County Junior Finals, where I presented medals and everyone wanted to see mine."

Chat to Ryan for a short time and it is easy to see how thrilled he is to achieve his ambition - and long may he continue to grace rugby because he is a remarkable young man!