HomeImagesTeam Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Women Basketball, 2000

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Women Basketball, 2000

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY WOMEN BASKETBALL, 2000. Competitions Played in 2000: ADS Basketball Team Club Competition at UNITEC, Summer Basketball League 1999-2000, Summer Basketball League 2000-2001. Auckland ‘A’: Winner of Peter Murray Cup, 3rd New Zealand Deaf Basketball Championships. Beat Canterbury 66-55, Beat Auckland ‘B’ 155-12. Auckland ‘B’: Third Place, 3rd New Zealand Deaf Basketball Championships. Lost to Canterbury, Lost to Auckland ‘A’ 12-155. Northern: Winner of ‘Otago Deaf Society’ Cup. Women Basketball Interclub 2000 at New Zealand Deaf Games. Beat Central 51-48. Team Coding: [C] ADS Basketball Team (Club Competition, [A] Auckland ‘A’ Team (3rd National Deaf Basketball Championships), [B] Auckland ‘B’ Team (3rd National Deaf Basketball Championships), [N] Northern Team (New Zealand Deaf Games).

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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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?”
Akiko Murozono
Akiko Murozono
Alan Ovens
Alan Ovens
Hayley Jackson
Hayley Jackson
Janet Martin
Janet Martin
Karla Smith
Karla Smith
Katherine Figure (Topia)
Katherine Figure (Topia)
Lisa Alexander
Lisa Alexander
Lorraine Butler (Waghorn)
Lorraine Butler (Waghorn)
Marjorie Rako
Marjorie Rako
Mark Siviter
Mark Siviter
Nelly (Nellie) Elisara
Nelly (Nellie) Elisara
Nirvana Graham
Nirvana Graham
Sapphire Ualesi (Tenboom)
Sapphire Ualesi (Tenboom)
Sara Pivac Alexander
Sara Pivac Alexander
Sarah Folomu
Sarah Folomu
Sonia Pivac
Sonia Pivac
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens
Susie (Suzanne) Ovens
Teresa Babich
Teresa Babich
Ursula Thynne Becroft
Ursula Thynne Becroft
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 2000-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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