HomeImagesTeam Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1984

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

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY INC. SPORTS REPRESENTATIVES – 29th N.Z. DEAF SOCIETIES CONVENTION (INTER-CLUB) – AUCKLAND 1984. Winners of Aotearoa Turi Shield (Most Points), Oxspring Shield (Athletic), Smither Cup (Netball), Otago Deaf Society Cup (Womens Basketball), Smith Rose Cup (Womens Table Tennis), and Auckland League Club Cup (Golf). Aotearoa Turi Shield POINTS: Auckland 32, Christchurch 27, Hawkes Bay 7, Manawatu 2, Otago 1, Wellington 1, Waikato 1, Taranaki 1. Otago Deaf Society Cup, Auckland v Christchurch 24-10, v Hawkes Bay 28-4, v Manawatu 36-5. Oxspring Shield POINTS: Auckland 33, Hawkes Bay 13, Taranaki 11, Otago 5. Smith Rose Cup POINTS: Auckland 6, Christchurch 5. Smither Cup: Auckland V Christchurch 20-9, V Manawatu 15-7.

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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: 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

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: 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

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: 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: 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: 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: Susie Ovens

Susie on the Rise of Deaf Women’s Basketball

Susie recalls becoming intrigued while watching the first women’s basketball games at the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln. Inspired, she teamed up with Rae Oxspring to form an Auckland women’s team in time for the Labour Weekend Sports Convention. Back then, during Rae’s time, it was referred to as ‘netball’. The first competition for the newly created Otago Cup was held in Dunedin, and Auckland won that inaugural trophy. It marked the beginning of a marvellous era – with seven women’s teams competing! Susie fondly remembers one tense match against Christchurch, where an Auckland player accidentally wore a hearing aid. Auckland won the match – and only then did Christchurch raise a protest. Susie laughs, saying it was a bit cheeky: “Why wait until after losing to complain?”
NZSL story – Taonga source: Shirley Bregmen

Hard Work Pays Off: Shirley’s 1987 Double Trophy Win

Shirley shares her journey into the ADS Deaf Women’s Basketball Team, reflecting on 1986 as a formative year where she learned a lot under her coach’s guidance. That foundation set her up for a breakthrough season in 1987, where she went on to win both the 'Jim Eaton Trophy for Goaler of the Year' and the 'Gary Howard Cup for Best Women Player'. Playing against hearing teams was tough, but the NZ Deaf Games offered an incredible opportunity to connect with others and build lasting friendships.
Aileen Banks
Aileen Banks
Angeline Perez
Angeline Perez
Bernie Clews
Bernie Clews
Caroline Gould (Scally)
Caroline Gould (Scally)
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Colleen Norris (Cary)
Corina Harris
Corina Harris
Daphne Jones
Daphne Jones
Diane Burch
Diane Burch
Diane Urlich
Diane Urlich
Ella McNamara
Ella McNamara
Ewen Wilson
Ewen Wilson
Fetuao Ualesi
Fetuao Ualesi
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
Jeff (Jeffrey) Went
Jenny Clews
Jenny Clews
Joanne Klaver (Stanley)
Joanne Klaver (Stanley)
John Fleming
John Fleming
John McRae
John McRae
Kay McDermott
Kay McDermott
Lafina McGregor
Lafina McGregor
Michael Pilcher
Michael Pilcher
Michael Rose
Michael Rose
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Noel Coventry
Noel Coventry
Owen Gibbons
Owen Gibbons
Peter Downie
Peter Downie
Phillip Hammond
Phillip Hammond
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Robert Cairns
Robert Cairns
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens
Terry (Terence) Kane
Terry (Terence) Kane
Terry Richard
Terry Richard
Tony Nicholls
Tony Nicholls

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 1984-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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1976
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1976

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
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  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
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
  • Shona McGhie
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1983
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sport Convention, Dunedin 1983

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shirley Bregmen
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Society Ball

Debutantes who were presented to the Mayor and Mayoress Mr and Mrs Ashby at the first ball organised this week by the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.
Auckland Deaf Society
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Jacket: Auckland Deaf Sports Convention

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
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  • Kevin Pivac
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1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
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1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
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  • Doug Croskery
  • Sharron Attwood
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1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tunic: The first uniform of the Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club

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  • Colleen Norris