HomeObjectsPennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985

Pennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985

A yellow pennant with black writing on it that says CENTRAL DISTRICTS DEAF SPORTS, WELLINGTON 1985 along with a fern with NEW ZEALAND underneath. The pennant was most likely used for the N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention which was held in Napier that year.

  • Deaf Clubs
  • Deaf Sports
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: 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: 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!
Taonga source:
Wellington Deaf Society
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 002-O-WDS
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