HomeImagesTeam Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981

NEW ZEALAND DEAF SPORTS TEAM; Fourteenth World Games for the Deaf, Cologne, West Germany, July 23rd – August 1st, 1981. BACK ROW: J.Ooteman (Cycling, Manawatu), R.Flynn (Table Tennis, Team Captain, Christchurch), K.Witko (Table Tennis, Wellington), R.Algie (Wrestling, Featherston), P.Downie (Basketball Observer, Christchurch), D.Hendry (Athletics, Auckland), M.Rose (Athletics, Auckland). MIDDLE ROW: J.Chandler (Table Tennis, Wellington), N.Norris (Athletics Coach, Auckland), J.McRae (Team Manager, Auckland), B.McHattie (Interpreter, Auckland), M.Coutts (President, Christhchurch), D.Beech (Delegate, Auckland), J.Lavel (Table Tennis, Christchurch), B.Harris (Shooting, Hawkes Bay). FRONT ROW: A.Bennett (Table Tennis, Christchurch), S.Ovens (Athletics, Auckland), G.Rapley (Table Tennis, Taranaki), T.May (Table Tennis Coach, Christchurch), M.Coutts (Delegate, Christchurch), B.Hazelwood (Chaperone, Manawatu), G.Fage (Table Tennis, Manawatu), P.Fechney (Table Tennis, Christchurch).

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Dressed to Represent: NZ’s Bid at the 1981 Games

At the 1981 World Deaf Games in Germany, Milton had planned to compete in judo, but the event was cancelled just two months before. Disappointed, he still joined the team after Bruce McHattie encouraged him to help with New Zealand’s bid to host the next Games. Dressed as a Māori warrior with a tā moko and taiaha, Milton quickly became the most photographed person at the event. Despite the impact, New Zealand lost the bid to Los Angeles, who offered accommodation and three meals for just $24 a day – a deal NZ couldn’t match.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Oops, That Was Me! Susie’s Athletics Mix-Up at the 1981 Deaf Games

At just 15 years old, Susie competed in the 100m and 200m events at the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln, with Barbara Hazelwood from Palmerston North as her chaperone. Nervous before her first race, she climbed down through the stadium seats to reach the track, only to be stopped by an official who reminded her to use the proper tunnel like the other athletes. He let her through, but Susie was surprised (and a bit embarrassed!) to see the rest of her heat arrive in a formal line. She loved the deaf-friendly starting system, with ground lights that flashed when the gun fired. But in the 200m, things took a twist. Her team manager mistakenly told her she hadn’t qualified for the final. Later, while watching the race, she saw an empty lane… and her name on the scoreboard. She had qualified after all, but it was too late!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

A Silver to Remember: Shona’s Memories from the 1981 World Deaf Games

In 1981, Shona McGhie travelled to Köln, Germany, to attend the World Deaf Games as a supporter, joining Colleen Norris to cheer on the New Zealand athletes. While there, she witnessed the incredible performance of NZ wrestling representative Robert Algie. Though she can’t recall exactly which round, she remembers the electric atmosphere, the huge crowd, and the overwhelming support as Robert battled his way through to the finals. His effort paid off – he proudly earned a silver medal for New Zealand. Shona describes it as a unique and emotional moment.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Four Deaflympics: From Judo to Wrestling to Sumo

Milton competed in four Deaflympics before retiring at age 48. His first was in 1989, but he represented Australia instead of New Zealand. He was ineligible to play for NZ under a rule that required six months of residency. Though disappointed, he went on to win gold in the 90 to 100 kg wrestling division. His background in judo helped him succeed. Toward the end of his career, he also gave sumo a go and earned a bronze medal.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Winning the Bid: How NZ Secured the World Deaf Games

Tony Walton reflects on Deaf Sports NZ’s early bid to host the World Deaf Games. Their 1981 pitch fell short, with the 1985 Games going to Los Angeles. But in 1985, New Zealand returned stronger. Margaret Coutts and John McRae delivered a more polished signed presentation. Ironically, Australia also submitted a bid, led by another John McRae. To tip the scales, New Zealand hosted a standout evening at the NZ Ambassador’s residence in LA, with food, speeches and swimming. The result? A landslide victory.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Inspired by Robert Algie: Milton’s Wrestling Journey

Milton, who competed in four Deaflympics, credits Robert Algie as a major influence on his wrestling career. He was inspired after watching Robert win two silver medals in freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 1981 World Deaf Games. Milton began training in Auckland but only started competing after moving to Australia. He fondly recalls crossing paths with Robert at a 1985 competition in Melbourne, and watching his rise to the 1986 Commonwealth Games and qualification for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which he sadly had to withdraw from after a cancer diagnosis. Milton later visited Robert’s grave in Featherston and remains grateful for the inspiration that shaped his sporting journey.
Ann Bennett
Ann Bennett
Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)
Barbara Hazelwood (O’Neill)
Brian Harris
Brian Harris
Bruce McHattie
Bruce McHattie
Danny (Daniel) Beech
Danny (Daniel) Beech
David Hendry
David Hendry
Gloria Fage
Gloria Fage
Gwen Rapley
Gwen Rapley
John (Johannes) Ooteman
John (Johannes) Ooteman
John Chandler
John Chandler
John Lavell
John Lavell
John McRae
John McRae
Kaz Witko
Kaz Witko
Margaret Coutts
Margaret Coutts
Michael Rose
Michael Rose
Morris Coutts
Morris Coutts
Norman Norris
Norman Norris
Peter Downie
Peter Downie
Polly Fechney
Polly Fechney
Robert Algie
Robert Algie
Royce Flynn
Royce Flynn
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 1981-P005-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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1981
article – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Money woes hit Deaf Games bid

The New Zealand team to compete in the World Deaf Games in West Germany later this month is $10,000 short of funds. The 20-strong team is due to buy its air travel tickets and is faced with having to borrow the deficit.
Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

World Deaf Games, Köln 1981

New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln, Germany in 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Mime put to use

Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the “Deaf Sign Singers”, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
2020
video – Taonga source: Elizabeth Hines

Memories of triple World Deaf Games champion John Ooteman

New Zealand’s most acclaimed Deaf gold medallist, John Ooteman was a triple World Games for the Deaf champion (Koln 1981, Los Angeles 1985, Christchurch 1989). His story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth Hines, his Deaf sister.
Elizabeth Hines
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Susie Ovens
1960-80s
Object – Taonga source: John McRae

Auckland Deaf Society Life Member: John McRae’s pin and badge collection of national and international Deaf sport events

John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: September 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Sports convention for the deaf

Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

WDG Köln 1981 team returns home

The NZ team returns from the XIV World Games for the Deaf, Köln, Germany 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Deaf athletes visit Disneyland en route to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln!

New Zealand athletes stopover at Los Angeles on the way to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln, and make the most of the trip with a visit to Disneyland!
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: September 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
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1953-85
Object – Taonga source: John McRae

N.Z. Kiwi Badge: Worn at multiple international Deaf events: CISS Congress 1953, Helsinki 1961, Washington 1965, Koln 1982 and Los Angeles 1985

John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton