NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

Kevin’s First Sports Convention: Shot Put and Badminton Success

Kevin remembers attending his first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in 1968 at 18 years old. He represented Auckland in both badminton and shot put. The Auckland Deaf Society booked a charter flight for the whole team on a British Viscount plane with four turboprop engines. As was the norm, everyone dressed smartly for travel. Kevin recalls how he managed to win the shot put event, beating competitors who were much larger than him!
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: 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, 005-O-WDS
Note:
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