HomeImagesTeam Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Combined Sports Teams, 2001

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Combined Sports Teams, 2001

AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY INC. COMBINED SPORTS TEAMS, 2001. Back Row: R.Sheffield, J.Gilmour, P.O’Neil, L.James, G.Parsons, S.Downie. 3rd Row: M.Hampton, I.Tafili, C.Brady, R.Neeley, R.Jessep, D.Seaward, D.Johnston, P.Smeros, P.Thompson, L.Tan. 2nd Row: K.Pivac, N.Doherty, R.McKie, O.Gibbons, N.Woolf, D.Walker, S.Attwood, S.Fairley. Front Row: A.Tyler, J.Martin, Sonia Pivac, V.Skorikova, S.Hona, Sara Pivac, H.Jackson, K.Smith.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Shirley Bregmen

Honouring Her Mother: Shirley on the Bregmen 8 Ball Trophies

Shirley talks about the ‘Bregmen Memorial Trophy: Eight Balls Championship’ and the ‘Bregmen Trophy: 8 Ball Pool, Auckland Deaf Society vs R.S.A.’ – two meaningful trophies donated to the Auckland Deaf Society by her father in memory of her mother. Her father, who was Vice President of the Mt Wellington R.S.A. Club, wanted to honour her legacy and create a lasting connection between the two communities.
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: Colleen Norris

How Auckland’s Deaf Ten Pin Bowling Club Took Off

After a trip to Melbourne, Colleen was asked if there were any Deaf ten pin bowlers in Auckland. That question stuck with her. Once home, she placed an advertisement in the Auckland Deaf Club newsletter to gauge interest. Years earlier, she had bowled casually in New Lynn with a few Deaf friends but this time, the response exploded. Twenty-four Deaf bowlers signed up. They began holding regular Sunday competitions at the Lincoln Road bowling centre. Colleen’s love for the sport also took her overseas, representing New Zealand in tournaments across the USA, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.
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: Colleen Norris

Ten Pin Bowling Joins the NZ Deaf Games

Ten pin bowling was first introduced to the New Zealand Deaf Games in 1988. Colleen explains how the Interclub ten pin competition works at the Games and how the NZDSA’s Dunedin Superstrike Most Outstanding Player is chosen. The top men's and women's players are each awarded the Coca Cola trophy.
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: 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: Jeff Went

How Combined Sports Powered Auckland Deaf Society

Jeff shares how he first got involved with Combined Sports at the Auckland Deaf Society and how it all worked behind the scenes. Combined Sports – later known as Sports, Social and Recreation (SSR) – ran monthly social events at the Deaf Club that were hugely popular and helped raise significant funds for individual sports clubs. Instead of relying on the Board of Management, Combined Sports used those funds to buy much-needed sports and office equipment. At the time, investment interest rates were strong and every member contributed $5 to help cover tournament and competition costs.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Terry Kane

ADS 8 Ball Memories: Terry Kane’s Time at the Table

At the old Auckland Deaf Society Clubroom in Balmoral, there was two pool tables. At that time, Terry Kane was the Chairperson of the ADS 8 Ball Pool Club. There were lots of matches between the Auckland and Hamilton Deaf teams where there were trips to Waikato and back. Around 2011 Christchurch also came and played in Hamilton. Terry Kane won singles 2011, and doubles 2009. He says he didnt have much time to mow the lawns with his focus on sports!
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: Ruth Jessep

Ruth Jessep’s Long Game to Win the Overall High Series Shield

Ruth Jessep shares her journey to winning the Auckland Deaf Society’s Overall High Series (Scratch) Shield, a title she had been aiming for over several years. The competition runs across ten months, with monthly games and points adding up toward the shield. Ruth placed second at one point before finally winning in 2023. She describes herself as a dark horse, starting with a low handicap and aiming for a minimum score of 160, improving steadily from there.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Ruth Jessep

Ruth on Ten Pin Rivalries and Winning Streaks at the NZ Deaf Games

Ruth explains how the Tenpin Bowling competition at the NZ Deaf Games works, with games held every year over Labour Weekend. While playing for the Hawke’s Bay team, they had a strong run of wins and built solid momentum. That streak came to an end when Ruth moved to Auckland. There, the team often found themselves facing off with Christchurch, who played at a similar level and kept the competition intense!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Michelle Kruger

From Newcomer to NZ Deaf Games Winner

After moving from South Africa to New Zealand, Michelle was eager to meet new people and join a community. The Auckland Deaf Society’s 8 Ball Pool Club turned out to be the perfect place to start. What began with learning the basics soon became a fun and social challenge. She bought her own cues, built her skills, and went on to compete in the NZ Deaf Games as part of the Northern Zone Deaf 8 Ball Pool team. Despite her early inexperience, Michelle steadily improved and proudly came home with the NZ Deaf Games’ top trophy.
Anna Tyler
Anna Tyler
Carol Brady
Carol Brady
David Seaward
David Seaward
Donna Walker (Mansell)
Donna Walker (Mansell)
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson
Greg Parsons
Greg Parsons
Hayley Jackson
Hayley Jackson
Irene Tafili
Irene Tafili
Janet Martin
Janet Martin
John Gilmour
John Gilmour
Karla Smith
Karla Smith
Kevin Pivac
Kevin Pivac
Lai Tan
Lai Tan
Luke James Grey
Luke James Grey
Michael Hampton
Michael Hampton
Nerelle Woolf
Nerelle Woolf
Ngaire Doherty
Ngaire Doherty
Owen Gibbons
Owen Gibbons
Peter Smeros
Peter Smeros
Peter Thompson
Peter Thompson
Philip O’Neil
Philip O’Neil
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Rae McKie (Oxspring)
Roger Sheffield
Roger Sheffield
Ron Neeley
Ron Neeley
Ruth Jessep
Ruth Jessep
Sally-Anne Hona
Sally-Anne Hona
Sara Pivac Alexander
Sara Pivac Alexander
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Sharron Attwood (Harker)
Shirley Bregmen (Downie)
Shirley Bregmen (Downie)
Sonia Pivac
Sonia Pivac
Susan Fairley
Susan Fairley
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)
Victoria Lessing (Skorikova)

Relevant Links

Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 2001-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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Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society

There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.
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