Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Napier 1985

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY INC. SPORTS REPRESENTATIVES – 30th Deaf Societies Convention (INTER-CLUB) – Napier 1985 Winner of Aotearoa Turi Shield (Most Points), Oxspring Shield (Athletic), Cunniffe Cup (Indoor Basketball), Inter Club Shield (Table Tennis), Otago Deaf Society Cup (Women’s Basketball). AOTEAROA TURI SHIELD POINTS: Auckland 30, Christchurch 18, Hawkes Bay 9.

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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: 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: 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

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: 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: 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: 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.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Ruth Jessep

Ruth Remembers Napier’s First Deaf Sports Convention

Ruth recalls being part of the organising committee for Napier’s first ever Deaf Sports Convention in 1985. That year, Hawke’s Bay earned 9 points toward the Aotearoa Turi Shield. Over the long weekend, Ruth played netball, basketball and badminton. At later conventions, she also gave golf a try.

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: 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: 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: 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?”