Vitaliano Lui of Lotopa has defied all odds to become the first-ever deaf player to be part of the main Samoa Touch men's team travelling to Australia for the Queensland State Cup on 29 November.

He said he wanted to encourage everyone that whether you have a disability or not, you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. 

"I started playing touch at the St Joseph's Marist Sports Club, I would always hang out with the team and we would go watch the boys during their training, and I was really into the sport. I watched the boys play, and that's how I learnt how to play touch," he said.

"In 2020, I started going to the Marist Club where I started playing rugby union, the 7s. I joined the club because of rugby but during training, I saw the boys playing touch, and I observed how it was done. It was very different from rugby, they weren't tackling each other but just tapping or touching them.

"Do not let your disability hold you back from being part of a sport. Do not be embarrassed about your disability we are all equal in God's eyes. So whatever opportunity comes, take it. We must always use our talents from God whether you are deaf, or have any other disability or not, we are all the same to God." 

The 27-year-old's interest grew from there. Vitaliano prefers touch to rugby union as it is a non-contact sport. He said touch rugby has less chance of getting injuries. 

Vitaliano connects with his team through hand gestures or actions as the majority do not know sign language.

"I communicate using gestures or actions whenever we play or during training. The coach understands my gestures so he has been a big help for me," he said. 

"In the beginning, I found it very challenging to understand the rules of the sport and I made mistakes. But being in training, and observing everything I've started to learn as I go, and now I am able to understand the rules."

This will be Vitaliano's first time to be a part of a national team. He is looking forward to the journey and competition.

"I was selected before in the deaf team where I went to Fiji for the disabled rugby sevens but now it's the main touch team where I am included with players who do not have any disability. I have seen how Samoa Touch has tried its best to be inclusive with my participation."

For the future, Vitaliano is looking at enhancing his skills and improving in the sport.