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

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

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY INC.; 15th SPORTS REPRESENTATIVES – N.Z. DEAF SPORTS CONVENTION – PALMERSTON NORTH, OCTOBER 1970. WINNERS – INTER-CLUB SHIELD (Table Tennis), 1st N.Z. OPEN ATHLETIC, 1500 METRES (Palmerston North Centennial Trophy). WINNERS – JEROME PLATE (Indoor Bowls); 6th N.Z. OPEN TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS (A. W. Steel Memorial Cup). INTER TABLE TENNIS: Won 10, Lost 6, Points for 708, Against 616; INTER INDOOR BOWLS: Won by 16 Points, Against 12 Points.

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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: 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.
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: John Mansell

John’s Early Days on the Indoor Bowls Mat

John gave indoor bowls a go in the late 1960s and played for about a decade. He started in 1968, the year his team won the overall Jerome Plate. He was lucky to play under Skip Sen Smith, a top indoor bowls player in both Auckland and New Zealand. John remembers how everyone had to dress formally for team photos, wearing suits and ties. Unlike today’s more relaxed style, he believes things were better back then.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Where NZSL Thrives: The Power of Deaf Sport Gatherings

Tony Walton reflects on the importance of the NZ Deaf Games, once called the Sports Convention, held every Labour Weekend. It was more than just sport. It brought Deaf people together to socialise and sign in NZSL. Local delegates organised the event, while NZDSA awarded the Player of the Year and Aotearoa Turi Shield. A proposal to make the Games biennial was first rejected but later accepted. Looking back, Tony wishes it had stayed annual.
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: Shona McGhie

Wearing Two Hats: Shona on Leading NZ Deaf Sports

Shona McGhie shares her experience in the 1980s and 90s juggling two roles. She was both Secretary of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and Administrator of the NZ Deaf Games. As Administrator, she ensured the host city met all requirements to run the Sports Convention smoothly. She organised meetings, AGMs, and worked closely with delegates on teams, rules, and bylaws. Shona held the role for three years, helping keep Deaf sport in New Zealand running strong.
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: 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: 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

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: Unknown, Colleen Norris

Colleen’s Bowls Win While Six Months Pregnant

Colleen explains how she got involved in Auckland Deaf Society’s indoor bowls team for the 1968 NZ Deaf Sports Convention in Christchurch. The team was short on players, and since her husband was already going to play basketball, she decided to join. Her mother-in-law came to help look after her daughter. At the time, Colleen was six months pregnant. Despite that, she won the singles, doubles, and team events. She remembers how formal team photos were back then. In the November team photo, everyone tried to hide her pregnancy!
Barry Kinnaird
Barry Kinnaird
Bill (William) Katu
Bill (William) Katu
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Don (Donald) Beech
Don (Donald) Beech
Elma Powell
Elma Powell
Jean Goodhue (Pearce)
Jean Goodhue (Pearce)
John Bays
John Bays
John McRae
John McRae
Kath Smith
Kath Smith
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Norman Norris
Norman Norris
Peter F Murray
Peter F Murray
Philip Chatfield
Philip Chatfield
Roger Sheffield
Roger Sheffield
Ron Neeley
Ron Neeley
Susan Hamilton
Susan Hamilton
Tom Gibling
Tom Gibling
Verna McRae (Garnett)
Verna McRae (Garnett)

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 1970-P001-ADS
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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