Deaf Sports New Zealand (formerly called the Deaf Amateur Sports Association, then the New Zealand Deaf Sports Association, then Deaf Sports Federation of New Zealand) is an organisation whose vision is to encourage Deaf people to participate in sport in New Zealand both on a recreational and competitive basis. Sports have traditionally played an important role in the Deaf community, providing a focal point for regional communities to come together, not just to see who can run the fastest or jump the furthest, but also to catch up with friends from all over New Zealand and around the world. Deaf Sports New Zealand takes this cultural tradition and raises it to the next level of competitiveness and professionalism by preparing athletes for competition, and training of coaches for international duties, including coaching qualification.

The formation of the Deaf Amateur Sports Association

The first New Zealand Deaf Council and Sports for the Deaf taken in Christchurch in April 1950. Left to right: John Kinnear (Chairman), Stewart Smith (Auckland delegate), Cecil Cairns (Christchurch delegate), Hayton Williams (Wellington delegate), Jack R. Swindle (Secretary).

NZ Deaf Societies Convention Conference Report. Source: New Zealand Deaf News, 1963 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

At the June 1963 Conference of New Zealand Deaf Societies (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch), held in Wellington, it was unanimously agreed that a national association should be formed to deal with many matters surrounding sporting activities for Deaf people in New Zealand – to promote and regulate sport.

The Deaf Amateur Sports Association (NZDASA) was formed in 1963.

Getting a representative team to Washington 1965

An application form for interested competitors as advertised in the New Zealand Deaf News, 1964.

The first challenge was to raise finance to send a team to the World Games for the Deaf in Washington D.C. in 1965. A nationwide raffle, some “Pig in a Barrow” raffles, an indoor bowls tournament and a festival of dancing was held to raise money, along with other small functions.

Working for Deaf Sports

Washington DC, 1965. New Zealand Deaf sports team. Top, K.Gordon, C.Goodhue, Norman Norris, M.Forman, K.McDiarmid, K.Funnell, Peter Murray, J.Ballantine, Owen Gibbons. Bottom: Terry Siviter, John McRae, Wallace Williams, K.Smith, R.MacKenzie, Stewart Smith, R.Forman, W.McLachlan

New Zealand Deaf basketball team sent to the 15th World Games for the Deaf, Los Angeles 1985. Front: Jeff Went (coach), Terry Siviter, M.Clausen, Richard Peri (Vice Captain), Tony McGill, Royce Flynn (Team Manager). Back: Paul Buzzard, M.Albea, G.Koat, P.Scott, T.Parnell.

New Zealand Deaf sports team - XIIth World Games for the Deaf, Malmo, Sweden, July 1975. Back: G.Brown (Taranaki, table tennis), P.Tayler (Christchurch, athletics coach). Front: Margaret Coutts (Christchurch, Manager), Gwen Rapley (Taranaki, table tennis), R.Forrest (Christchurch, athletics).

The NZDASA continued to prepare and send athletes to further Summer and Winter World Games for the Deaf as well as organising local and interclub competitions, the New Zealand Games every year, the Asia/Pacific Games for the Deaf and other International Deaf Tours.

NZDSA becomes DFSNZ, and then DSNZ

New Zealand Deaf Sports Association logo.

Deaf Sports Federation New Zealand logo.

There was a name change to the New Zealand Deaf Sports Association in 1989 then to the Deaf Sports Federation of New Zealand in 2001. In 2014 the organisation became Deaf Sports New Zealand.