HomeImagesTeam Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY INC. Sports Representatives New Zealand Deaf Sports Societies Convention – Wellington, 1977. Winners of Cunniffee Memorial Trophy (Indoor Basketball), Oxspring Shield (Athletics), Brian Smither Cup (Netball). ATHLETICS POINTS – Auckland 23, Christchurch 23. INDOOR BASKETBALL – Played 3, Won 3. NETBALL – Played 3, Won 3.

BACK ROW: M.Tyler (Athletics), M.Rose (Athletics), P.Oxspring (Basketball), E.Klaver (Basketball), K.Hodson (Athletics). THIRD ROW: J.Wilson (Treasurer), C.Browne (Netball), S.Attwood (Athletics), D.Burch (Netball), M.Masters (Netball, Athletics), K.McDermott (Netball), M.Robinson (Netball), N.Doherty (Chaperon/Sec). SECOND ROW: J.McRae (Coach B’ball, Chairman), N.Norris (Capt. Athletics, B’ball), P.Murray (Vice-Capt, B’ball), G.Howard (Capt. B’ball, Athletics), D.Powell (ADS Pres), C.Norris (Capt. Netball, Athletics), J.Howard (Vice-Capt N’ball, Ath), T.Jackson (Coach Netball), J.M.Hunt (Team Manager). FRONT ROW: D.Croskery (Athletics, B’ball), W.Katu (Basketball), P.Geddes (Basketball), W.MacKail (Athletics, B’ball), T.Siviter (Basketball).

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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: Colleen Norris

From “Basketball” to Netball

Colleen started playing netball at the School for the Deaf, though it was still called basketball at the time. The term “netball” was just beginning to be used. After leaving school, she joined a hearing club where the old name stuck. When Jan Howard moved to Auckland from Australia, they agreed to put out an advertisement to form a Deaf team. The response was strong. Auckland’s team wore handmade uniforms. Teams also formed in Palmerston North and Christchurch, competing in the Deaf Sports Convention. Colleen later played in multiple Trans-Tasman Games and recalls the hard training, especially all the running.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

ADS Athletics Team Dominates the Track

Doug was a regular on the Auckland Deaf Society athletics team from 1977 to 1985, and he made it count. He was a standout in the 100m sprint, the 4x100m relay, where he often placed first or second, and the long jump, where he regularly finished in the top three. For four years in a row at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention, the ADS athletics team took home the Oxspring Shield. Not a bad run at all!
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

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: 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: Colleen Norris

A Night to Remember: ADS Netball Club’s Burlesque Fundraiser

Colleen shares a lively memory from 1976, when the Auckland Deaf Society netball club celebrated its first birthday with a fundraising event. To make the night more exciting, Doreen Powell suggested a burlesque-themed evening. The team went all in, with costumes and cheeky performances, and at one point, someone’s shoes even flew off mid-act. Colleen dressed as a red and white striped prostitute and remembers the night as brilliant and full of laughter.
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: 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.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

Why Auckland Deaf Netball Chose the Elephant as Its Mascot

Colleen shares the story behind the elephant mascot used by the Auckland Deaf netball team. The team often wore tops with an elephant symbol or brought an elephant soft toy to their games. She explains how the idea came about and why the elephant became a special symbol for the team.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Sharron Attwood

New to the Scene: Sharron’s First Deaf Sports Experience in 1977

Persuaded to join the ADS team for the 1977 NZ Deaf Sports Societies Convention in Wellington, Sharron Attwood, from Whangārei, found herself stepping into a whole new world. She decided to give athletics a go, and joined the team that went on to win the Oxspring Shield! Sharron competed in the 100m sprint, 4x100m relay, shot put, discus, and long jump. It was a great opportunity to meet new people with regular weekend trips from Whangārei to Auckland for training sessions.
Bill (William) Katu
Bill (William) Katu
Carol Browne
Carol Browne
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Des Powell
Des Powell
Diane Burch
Diane Burch
Doug (Douglas) Croskery
Doug (Douglas) Croskery
Eddie (Edward) Klaver
Eddie (Edward) Klaver
Gary Howard
Gary Howard
Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)
Janice Howard (Greenhalgh)
Jim (James) Wilson
Jim (James) Wilson
John Hunt
John Hunt
John McRae
John McRae
Kay McDermott
Kay McDermott
Kenneth Hodson
Kenneth Hodson
Madith Robinson
Madith Robinson
Mary Tyler
Mary Tyler
Michael Rose
Michael Rose
Mihi (Mihiarangi) Marsters
Mihi (Mihiarangi) Marsters
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Norman Norris
Norman Norris
Peter F Murray
Peter F Murray
Peter Geddes
Peter Geddes
Peter Oxspring
Peter Oxspring
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Terry Siviter
Terry Siviter
Tricia Jackson
Tricia Jackson
Wayne MacKail
Wayne MacKail

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 1977-P002-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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