The future is looking bright for Ely teenager Katie Dening following an unforgettable experience impressing for England at the Deaf Rugby Sevens World Cup.
The 19-year-old travelled to Corboda, Argentina, on April 2 to face-off off against some of the elite rugby nations, with England beaten in the final by a very strong Wales side.
Having only started playing competitive rugby in 2021, the tournament caps another landmark moment for Katie, who has also represented Cambridgeshire, Eastern Counties and Shelford in only a short time.
Katie said: "It was an amazing experience representing England in the Deaf World Cup. I was unbelievably nervous before every kickoff, especially in the World Cup Final.
"But as soon as the ball went live, for me, everything comes alive."
"Playing Australia and Wales - two of the great rugby nations - is an experience I'll never forget."
Born profoundly deaf, Katie is a bilateral cochlear implant user and normally plays with one implant under a scrum cap.
However, tournament rules at the World Cup dictate that no aids are allowed, meaning she had the challenge of being completely deaf for all her games.
"The rest of the team spent a lot of time smacking me on the backside to get my attention," Katie joked.
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Nicknamed the smiling assassin for her huge trademark tackles and massive smile, playing at flanker, Katie has never let her hearing get in the way of producing some scintillating performances.
From a player-of-the-match performance against Jamaica in her first test for the England Deaf Rugby in March to being a regular starter and important player for Shelford's first team in her first season, the sky is the limit for Katie.
She is off to Loughborough University in September to study Fine Art, where she hopes to play for Loughborough Ladies and then in the premiership with Lightning.
Her "ultimate aim" is to play for the full England team and follow in the footsteps of fellow deaf England rugby star Jodie Ounsley.
Katie added: "My message to all deaf children out there is to go and play whatever sports you want to play, and don't think for a moment that you can't!"
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