Sports convention for the deaf

Sports convention for the deaf

Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing.

That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year. It was attended by 44 countries and there were 10,000 spectators.

“I presume they were deaf too,” says Maureen Thompson from the Wellington deaf society’s clubrooms in upper Willis Street.

On a smaller scale Maureen, Kaz and Wellington team manager Robert Cameron are busily organising the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington this weekend.

Now ask yourself… if the athlete can not hear the spectators how does he hear the umpire? Well, the answer is he doesn’t.

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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: 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: Kevin Pivac

A Sleepless Train Ride to and from Wellington for the Sports Convention

In 1972, Kevin played basketball for the Auckland Deaf Society at the Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington, where the team took home the Cunniffe Cup. The Auckland group travelled by overnight train, with one carriage packed full of Deaf people. Sleep was scarce with constant chatting and playing with the lights. Alcohol was banned on trains at the time, but on the return trip on Monday night, a friend met them at Paekākāriki and dropped off a crate, which they secretly brought into the carriage!

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Dressed to Represent at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention

John recalls how athletes travelling to Deaf Sports Conventions, such as the one in Christchurch in 1968, were required to dress formally, including wearing ties. Both athletes and supporters wore rosettes to show their club. These were removed during games but worn again afterward. On the final evening, swapping rosettes was a tradition. John still has a few at home.

Kaz Witko

Maureen Tompson

Maureen Tompson

Robert Cameron

Relevant Links

Deaflympics

Taonga source:

The Evening Post

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1982-001

Bibliographic source:

The Evening Post, 22 October 1982

Author:

Lloyd Jones

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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