Money woes hit Deaf Games bid

Money woes hit Deaf Games bid

The New Zealand team to compete in the World Deaf Games in West Germany later this month is $10,000 short of funds.

The 20-strong team is due to buy its air travel tickets today and is faced with having to borrow the deficit.

The treasurer of the New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Stewart Smith, said: “Our fundraising was going well but unfortunately the final stages clashed with last weekend’s telethon. It’s left us about $10,000 short and it looks like we will have to borrow that amount.

“I’ve been treasurer of the association since its inception in 1963 and we have never been in such an embarrassing situation.”

Mr Smith said there were added expenses this year because New Zealand was sending a larger contingent than usual in its bid to secure the 1985 World Deaf Games for Christchurch.

A group headed by Sir Ronald Scott, Christchurch Mayor Mr Hamish Hay and an Air New Zealand representative, Mr Bill Davies, will accompany the competitors to attempt to make New Zealand the first southern hemisphere venue for the games since they were first held in 1924 in Paris.

Mr Smith has appealed to the public to help get the team to Cologne and says any donations will gratefully be accepted at PO Box 408, Auckland.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Oops, That Was Me! Susie’s Athletics Mix-Up at the 1981 Deaf Games

At just 15 years old, Susie competed in the 100m and 200m events at the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln, with Barbara Hazelwood from Palmerston North as her chaperone. Nervous before her first race, she climbed down through the stadium seats to reach the track, only to be stopped by an official who reminded her to use the proper tunnel like the other athletes. He let her through, but Susie was surprised (and a bit embarrassed!) to see the rest of her heat arrive in a formal line. She loved the deaf-friendly starting system, with ground lights that flashed when the gun fired. But in the 200m, things took a twist. Her team manager mistakenly told her she hadn’t qualified for the final. Later, while watching the race, she saw an empty lane… and her name on the scoreboard. She had qualified after all, but it was too late!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Dressed to Represent: NZ’s Bid at the 1981 Games

At the 1981 World Deaf Games in Germany, Milton had planned to compete in judo, but the event was cancelled just two months before. Disappointed, he still joined the team after Bruce McHattie encouraged him to help with New Zealand’s bid to host the next Games. Dressed as a Māori warrior with a tā moko and taiaha, Milton quickly became the most photographed person at the event. Despite the impact, New Zealand lost the bid to Los Angeles, who offered accommodation and three meals for just $24 a day – a deal NZ couldn’t match.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

A Silver to Remember: Shona’s Memories from the 1981 World Deaf Games

In 1981, Shona McGhie travelled to Köln, Germany, to attend the World Deaf Games as a supporter, joining Colleen Norris to cheer on the New Zealand athletes. While there, she witnessed the incredible performance of NZ wrestling representative Robert Algie. Though she can’t recall exactly which round, she remembers the electric atmosphere, the huge crowd, and the overwhelming support as Robert battled his way through to the finals. His effort paid off – he proudly earned a silver medal for New Zealand. Shona describes it as a unique and emotional moment.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Winning the Bid: How NZ Secured the World Deaf Games

Tony Walton reflects on Deaf Sports NZ’s early bid to host the World Deaf Games. Their 1981 pitch fell short, with the 1985 Games going to Los Angeles. But in 1985, New Zealand returned stronger. Margaret Coutts and John McRae delivered a more polished signed presentation. Ironically, Australia also submitted a bid, led by another John McRae. To tip the scales, New Zealand hosted a standout evening at the NZ Ambassador’s residence in LA, with food, speeches and swimming. The result? A landslide victory.

Sen (Stewart) Smith

Sen (Stewart) Smith

Relevant Links

Deaflympics

Taonga source:

Margaret Coutts

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1981-011

Bibliographic source:

Unknown, 1981

Author:

NZPA

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Note:

This item has been transcribed and/or OCR post-corrected. It also has been compressed and/or edited.

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