Deaf Athletes Cut Records
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Deaf Athletes Cut Records

Three national records were equalled or passed at the national deaf sports convention athletics meeting held at Mt Smart yesterday.

Mrs Elizabeth Downie, of Christchurch, equalled the women’s 400m record, J. Ferguson (Christchurch) set a men’s shot put record with 33ft 10in, and the Christchurch men’s team set a 4 x 100m relay record.

R.J. Forrest (Christchurch), who represented New Zealand at the world deaf games this year in Sweden, finished first in his best events of 800m and 1500m and third in the 100m. Christchurch won the teams event.

Auckland won the basketball with defeats of Manawatu and Christchurch (44-42).

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

The Rise of Table Tennis at Auckland Deaf Society

Terry Kane, one of ADS’s top-ranked table tennis players, shares how he got involved with the club. He recalls encouraging 26 players to join, with games played on 4 to 5 tables in the old Balmoral hall. It was a popular time, with strong fundraising and high participation. Terry remembers it as a wonderful period. He also talks about the Auckland Adult Deaf Society Challenge Cup, established in 1938, interclub competitions, open championships, and matches against hearing players at Waitemata.
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: Terry Kane

Table Tennis Drill Sessions That Paid Off

Top-seeded ADS table tennis players Terry Kane and Lyndon Malcolm were coached by a hearing man, Sonny Rivers. To improve their game, they trained several times a week. Terry recalls Sonny pushing them hard, especially with spin returns from the training machine. Over time, their technique improved, leading to wins against both hearing and Deaf opponents.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

ADS Athletics: Oxspring Shield Wins and Unusual Coaching Tips

Terry Kane shares how he got involved with ADS athletics and their consecutive Oxspring Shield wins at the Sports Convention, alongside teammates like Noel Coventry and Michael Rose. He trained regularly on the roads and was often spotted running by Deaf drivers. He says he was as thin as a matchstick back then. A hearing coach joined later, and Terry learned a lot from him. One chilly morning, the coach told them to hug a tree to warm up. Terry laughed at first, but it actually worked. The Sports Convention kept him busy with a packed schedule of athletics and table tennis.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Shot Put and Squash: Milton at the 1981 Sports Convention

Milton was part of the Oxspring Shield–winning Auckland team at the 1981 Sports Convention in Palmerston North. He competed in shot put and also gave squash a go that weekend, following in his father’s footsteps. In the squash final, he faced Robert Marquet, who won comfortably. Milton took the loss in stride and enjoyed the experience.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Big Ears: The Story Behind the Auckland Elephant Mascot

John was the masseur for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team at the 1977 Labour Weekend tournament in Wellington. That year, Auckland won the Cunniffe Cup in a close match against Christchurch, 66 to 59. The team’s mascot was an elephant, a symbol of Deaf pride with its big ears and a long nose for shooting hoops. John remembers a tough game with constant injuries that kept him busy on the sidelines. He says Deep Heat saved the day!
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Vice-Captain on Court: John’s ADS Basketball Days

John recalls playing for the Auckland Deaf Society basketball team, where he served as vice-captain. Their light blue singlets with white ADS letters and player numbers were handmade by Valerie Eaton, wife of Jim Eaton (team coach). The team played in the Mt Albert A league and pulled off a surprise win. They trained regularly on Thursday nights at the Club's Balmoral hall.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

Ending the Streak: Terry’s Proud Table Tennis Memory

Terry Kane captained the ADS table tennis team at the 1985 Sports Convention in Napier, where they won the Men's Interclub Table Tennis Cup. He also ended an 11-year winning streak by defeating a long-dominant Christchurch player. Terry recalls spotting a weakness in his opponent’s game and using it to secure a very satisfying win!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Doug on Auckland’s Elephant Mascot

Doug shares his view that the elephant became Auckland’s mascot in the late 1970s thanks to ASB Bank’s sponsorship, linking it to their well-known elephant money box. While others may remember it differently, this is how Doug recalls it. He also remembers the Auckland team finally beat Christchurch in 1977, winning 66 to 59 and taking home the Cunniffe Memorial Trophy. After the final whistle, both teams set the rivalry aside and shared drinks to celebrate a great match.
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.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

Donating the Doubles Trophies: Terry Kane’s Gift to ADS Table Tennis

Terry Kane shares how he donated two trophies to the ADS Table Tennis Club, one for men’s doubles and one for women’s doubles. The club held annual prizegivings to celebrate its players. As a former chairperson, Terry helped carry on the legacy of earlier leaders like the Seddons and players such as Rae McKie.
Dennis Creighton
Dennis Creighton
Elizabeth Callaghan (Downie, Raper)
Elizabeth Callaghan (Downie, Raper)
John Ferguson
John Ferguson
Kevin Harker
Kevin Harker
Norman Norris
Norman Norris
Phonse Carroll
Phonse Carroll
Robert (Bob) Forrest
Robert (Bob) Forrest
Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1973-001
Bibliographic source:
Unknown, October 20, 1973
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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1978
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1969
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Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1969

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  • Shona McGhie
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1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Cup, Basketball, Auckland 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
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  • Doug Croskery
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1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1966

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1977
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Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977

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1980
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Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, Hamilton 1980

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  • Pam Croskery
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1984
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Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1984

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1976
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Twenty First Deaf Sports Convention

This month, the Manawatu Deaf Club will again host the Annual New Zealand Deaf Convention. It will be the twenty-first with over 200 people competing. 160-170 will be from Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch and Southland. Local competitors make up the total.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
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  • Kevin Pivac
1983
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Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sport Convention, Dunedin 1983

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
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1970
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1970

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris