Tucked away in the corner of a café in Llanelli sits 26 year old Mat Gilbert, the softy spoken professional rugby player making such a name for himself with the Scarlets region. His try scoring record in Europe this season speaks for itself and his strong ball carrying ability has resulted in comparisons with teammate and fellow England born back-rower Ben Morgan. Mat is a little unsettled, embarrassed even by the attention his rugby is now gaining. He is, in his words, just doing his job. However, the outside world sees it very differently for Mat is also severely deaf. Mat has bilateral severe-profound hearing loss and wears two hearing aids
Mat shrugs his huge shoulders when asked if he recognises why fellow players and fans are, in his opinion, making such a fuss. "Not really , counters Mat. "I suppose it is slightly unusual to have a deaf player at the top of the game especially with my level of hearing loss but my deafness is not something I dwell on, I don't know any different. I don't want my deafness to be a reason I'm not picked so I work very hard to ensure that all aspects of my game are good enough. I predominately lip read on the pitch due to background noise. People may find it strange at first but my teammates and coaches learn to adapt their communication skills to ensure I hear calls
In fact Mat, who wears his hearing aids underneath his scrum cap, has developed a tap system to communicate with his scrum halve when playing in noisy stadiums. He doesn't think this is unusual because when he played rugby in Italy the language barrier resulted in similar hand signals being used between teammates. He suggests that this is another example of people making something out of his deafness.
Keen to understand why he doesn't want to talk about his deafness I ask if embarrassment is the reason he plays down his disability. I immediately regret asking this. His answer is short and firm. "Of course I'm not embarrassed, why would I be! I am a role model to a number of hearing impaired players and deaf children. I am very proud of this and it is something I take very seriously. I am however fed up with people assuming that my deafness is a barrier for me to achieve my best. It is not a barrier, and it should not be a reason that deaf children decide not to play sport. Being deaf means that you develop other methods to communicate but I am no different to any other player once I pull on my shirt. I give 100% to my team and I just want to be recognised as a good rugby player who happens to be deaf rather than being known as the deaf rugby player.
"My father-in-law uses the analogy that some players have weak eyes and wear contact lenses and I have weak ears so wear hearing aids. I think this is a great way of explaining my "disability". Obviously not being able to hear has its issues, I am not doubting or belittling that but my hearing does not stop me playing rugby whereas if a teammate lost their contact lenses they may not be able to continue.
Mat is a gentle giant, but I am acutely aware that I have been a little blasé about his deafness and caused upset. I understand now that he is proud of his position as a deaf role model but frustrated that, in his eyes, people only want to talk about his hearing impairment rather than his achievements on the pitch.
Moving on, I ask about his status as a role model. Mat has given talks to hearing impaired children in Llanelli and has become firm friends with the parents of a 6 year old rugby player with a similar hearing loss to himself. Mat explains that he is passionate about getting people to understand that wearing hearing aids does not limit them and they can achieve anything with a little hard work.
Playing rugby with a hearing impairment is a challenge and one which Mat recognises. He is not able to hear all the calls, especially if they are changed at the last minute so he has to rely on his ability to read the game and hope that he doesn't run the wrong line especially if he is "out in the backs and may cause confusion". However Mat is adamant that it is his responsibility to understand the calls and hear the referee because he wants his teammates to have complete confidence in his playing ability. He does not want his deafness to be a reason that a move fails.
Mat started playing for England Deaf Rugby when he was 17 years old and played for them over the next 5 years before his professional career prevented him from playing for the amateur side. Whilst he enjoyed his time with the deaf team, his goal is to play for England. He has a lot to learn still and he knows that his aspirations are high but he thinks they are reasonable. "I have a great mentor here at the Scarlets in (former Ireland and British Lions flanker) Simon Easterby. He has been there and done it and he is working hard with me to improve my game. I can feel how much I've improved since moving here 2 years ago and I know that I have a lot more to give.
Deaf or not, Mat is firm in his conviction that working hard and soaking up information is the only way to succeed. I for one can't see anyone arguing with him.
FACTS:
Full name: Mathew Ian Gilbert
Born: Sidcup, Kent
Age: 26 (D.o.B: 09.10.85)
Previous clubs: Dover, Hartpury College, Alghero (Italy), Llanelli RFC
Education: Bilton Grange Prep School, Duke of York Royal Military School, Hartpury College: BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Conditioning
England Deaf Caps: 11
Level of hearing loss: 90db loss each ear.
