Twenty First Deaf Sports Convention

The formation in 1964 of the N.Z.D.A.S. Association opened the doors to wider experience and better administration of Deaf Sports in N.Z. The Association since its formation have sent to Washington in 1965 a team of 17 representatives to take part in the Tenth International Deaf Olympics. In 1969 one runner and his manager were sent to Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Five persons made up the team to Malmo, Sweden in 1973.

The 1977 Deaf Olympics are being held in Bucarest, Romania – it is doubtful if a team will be sent at the moment, depending on the standard of the N.Z. Deaf Competitions this weekend.

Other highlights for the Sports Association and the Deaf Club (P.N.) was the tour during 1972 of the Australian Men’s Basketball team; the N.Z. Australian test match was held at the Y.M.C.A. Palmerston North on January 3rd. During the Christmas period of 1975/76 the Association sent some thirty competitors to Australia, five of these competitors were members of the Deaf Club (P.N.).

Trophies to be competed for Interclub Events:

• ‘N.Z. Deaf Societies Shield’ donated by Mr J. Oxspring for Athletic.
• ‘Bob Scott Memorial Shield’ for Badminton.
• ‘Wallie Jerome Trophy’ donated by Mrs Jerome.
• Two N.Z. Deaf Societies Cups donated by Mr Rae and Mr Smith for Table Tennis.
• ‘Cunniffe Memorial Cup’ for Mens Basketball.
• ‘B Smithers Cup’ for Womens Netball.

Trophies to be competed for OPEN EVENTS:

• “D. Beech Cup” donated by Mr D. Beech of Auckland for mens 1500 metre race.
  “Palmerston North Centennial Cup” donated by Manawatu Deaf Club for Mens 800 metre race.
• “Golden Jubilee Cup” donated by Christchurch Deaf Club for Womens 400 metre race.
• “Kays Cup” donated by Mr C. Kay of Auckland, former president of N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association for outstanding sportsman of the Deaf Sports Convention.
• “Aotearoa Turi” Shield donated by Mrs M. Coutts of Christchurch for most points gained in Inter-club events of the Sports Convention.
• Athletic 6 clubs competing for – 66 competitors
• Netball Womens 4 clubs competing for
• Basketball Mens 4 clubs competing for
• Indoor Bowls 7 clubs competing for.
• Table Tennis Inter-club 6 clubs competing for.
• Badminton 4 clubs competing for.
• Open Table Tennis Champs. 17 competitors including Mrs G. Rapley of Taranaki, who is a very good competitor and has won almost all of the Deaf Championships.

Altogether there will be over 200 people competing in the Convention, with 160–170 competitors coming from Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch and Southland. Local competitors make up the total of 200.