Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1990

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 4: Flying the Flag as a Deaf Referee

In 1990, John was stunned to be selected as the New Zealand XV referee for an international tour to England and France. He embraced the experience, swapped ties with other referees, and visited the Leeds Deaf Club. England won the match 25 to 11. Later, John passed a refereeing exam to move up a level and went on to officiate another international between New Zealand and France, where France won by just one point. No issues were raised about his performance. He was proud to show that a Deaf referee could do the job just as well as anyone else.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

From Rough Start to Trophies: Doug’s Golfing Journey

Doug, former treasurer of the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, looks back on his time chasing trophies like Most Improved Player, Best Putted Trophy, and Most Attendance. Yes, he won them all! His golfing adventure began with a push from friends and a rough first round at the tricky Waitakere Golf Club. The result? Not great. But Doug stuck with it, teeing off at courses like Takapuna and Chamberlain, and even swinging his way into the NZ Deaf Games.

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: Pam Croskery

A Thursday Tradition: How Pam Found Badminton

Pam Croskery shares how she got involved with the ADS Badminton Club. At 13, while at school, Pauline Seddon took her to the Deaf Club. There, Pam met many Deaf people and watched them playing badminton at the Balmoral hall. With a hockey background, she gave it a try and quickly fell in love with the sport. She enjoyed learning from other Deaf players who helped her with tips and rules. Every Thursday, Pauline brought her to play from 5.30pm to 7pm. Pam played badminton from age 13 until retiring at 52.

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: Shona McGhie

Thrown Into It: Shona Becomes ADS Badminton Club Secretary

Shona McGhie never planned on taking a leadership role, but that’s exactly what happened soon after she joined the Auckland Deaf Society. Having previously been involved with the Christchurch Deaf Club, she moved to Auckland after an overseas holiday, drawn by its vibrant Deaf community. Not long after reconnecting with her love for badminton, she attended the club’s AGM just to show support – only to be unexpectedly voted in as secretary on the spot! Stepping into the role straight away, Shona went on to serve five dedicated years with the ADS Badminton Club.

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

Part 3: Making a Statement in Christchurch

In 1986, John moved to Christchurch for work as a supervisor and continued refereeing. He was warmly welcomed into the local rugby league scene and received several awards for his efforts. In one memorable game on the outskirts of Christchurch, a hearing coach was badmouthing John from the sideline. John caught it from the corner of his eye, blew the whistle, and firmly told the coach to be quiet using clear gestures. The coach was stunned that a Deaf referee had spotted it. The crowd erupted in support. After the match, John simply said, “Deaf can do it.”

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: Jonathan Anton

Jonathan’s Look Back at ADS Badminton’s Golden Days

Utilising Auckland Deaf Society's Balmoral Hall, the ADS Badminton Club became a popular gathering point. The hall featured four full courts with nets and all the necessary equipment. Many of the players had moved to New Zealand from overseas, including Shirley Withers and Len Cowper, creating a lively and diverse atmosphere. Jonathan briefly served as treasurer and fondly recalls plenty of friendly matches between Deaf teams from Auckland and Hamilton. Great times, great memories!

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: John Mansell

Part 2: Refereeing Across Regions – Hawke’s Bay to Wellington

After his time with the Auckland Rugby League Referees Association, John moved to Hawke’s Bay where he continued refereeing while settling into a new job. He quickly adapted to their systems and wasn’t shy about calling out fights or handing out penalties. His gestures were sharp and clear, especially when sending someone to the sin bin for ten minutes. Later, he moved to Wellington where his name was already known. Although there was some hesitation at first, John worked hard to ease concerns and became a popular and respected referee. Clubs often invited him to events, but he kept things modest and only accepted one pint.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Kevin Pivac

Jonathan and Kevin Featured in the 8 O’Clock After Big Badminton Win

Jonathan Anton and Kevin Pivac were featured in the popular 8 O’Clock newspaper after being interviewed while playing badminton that morning. The article was printed and released that same evening. The two often played together and had just come off a tough win the weekend before, taking out an eight-game match at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

A Trophy from His Father: John Remembers the Mansell Cup

John Mansell shares how his father, Clyde Mansell, donated the Chairman Trophy to the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club. Known as the Mansell Cup, it was awarded for overall points in an annual competition. Deaf golfers played at various courses, and in the first competition, one player even scored a hole in one!

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 1: John’s First Whistle – A Deaf Ref Takes the Field

John shares how he got into rugby league refereeing after approaching a ref at his local Glenora Bears club, where he used to play. His first game was in Manurewa, and both teams were told in advance that the referee was deaf. The match was even filmed, with none other than the Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, watching from the sidelines keeping a close eye on John. He rose to the challenge. John used clear, sharp signals and wasn’t afraid to use his voice to keep the game moving. He even added some of his own flair – a bold “I’ve had enough!” gesture. He got a big thumbs up from the Mad Butcher and was later picked to referee the final of the season. That same year, he was also given an award for his refereeing.

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: 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: Doug Croskery

Doug’s Time on the Badminton Court

Doug kicked off his ADS badminton journey in the early 1980s, later going on to represent New Zealand. He trained hard – Tuesday nights at Balmoral with the Deaf Club and Thursday night games at Gillies Ave, often facing hearing players. He prepped for the 1985 Los Angeles and 1989 Christchurch Deaf Games, but by 1988, numbers dropped and badminton eventually faded from the NZ Deaf Sports Convention. Doug adds he never partnered with his wife Pam in doubles as they saw enough of each other at home. Better to pick someone else and keep the peace!

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Tony Walton on Building a More Accessible Deaf Aotearoa

Tony reflects on his involvement with the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (now Deaf Aotearoa). In 1989, during the World Deaf Games, New Zealand had only two or three qualified NZSL interpreters – a serious shortage. NZDSA was strongly sign-based, while the NZAD board leaned more oral. After the Games, Tony joined NZAD as a delegate to learn how it worked, eventually becoming President. His focus was on Deaf youth, leading to the creation of Friends of Young Deaf (FYD), better Māori engagement and involvement with more NZSL interpreters. One key goal was to have 13 interpreters nationwide, giving every major town and city access. Interpreter pay and access were limited back then – very different from today.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

ADS Badminton Winners Pins: 1983 to 1988

Pam Croskery explains the shift from trophies to a Winners Pin for the Auckland Deaf Society badminton club between 1983 and 1988. The pin allowed engraved strips for names, years, and event titles, making it easier to record multiple winners. Open championships were included, while interclub competitions required ADS membership. Today, ADS holds three Winners Pins belonging to Pam Croskery, Doug Croskery and Penny Went.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Jonathan Anton

Cups, Matches, and Fair Play: Jonathan on the ADS Badminton Club

Jonathan reflects on his time with the ADS Badminton Club, where he not only played but also contributed to its legacy by donating the ‘Anton Cup – Men’s Singles Round Robin’, a trophy he went on to win six times. The club also competed in interclub tournaments alongside hearing players, strengthening their skills and broadening their experience. He also highlights the ‘Keogh Cup – Mixed Doubles’, a fun and inclusive competition where strong players were paired with less experienced ones to keep things fair and enjoyable for all.

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: 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: 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

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: 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: Doug Croskery

Golf Bloopers and Good Times with the ADS Golf Club

Doug looks back on his golfing days with the Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club, playing alongside friends like Owen Gibbons and John McRae. He remembers the fun they had and laughs at some of his worst moments on the course. One time, his ball hit a tree and got stuck in the branches. He had to take a penalty to get it out. In another game, his shot landed near a tree. He lined it up carefully, took the swing, and badly bent his iron. That club went straight into the rubbish bin!

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: Tony Walton

From New Lynn to Avondale: A Necessary Move

Tony served as President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. At the time, the focus was on supporting Deaf youth – not relocating. But when asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the New Lynn building, with removal costs estimated at $600,000, a major decision had to be made. With support from a funder willing to underwrite the risk, the building was sold and a new location was secured. The Avondale office officially opened in November 1999.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

John’s Early Days on the Indoor Bowls Mat

John gave indoor bowls a go in the late 1960s and played for about a decade. He started in 1968, the year his team won the overall Jerome Plate. He was lucky to play under Skip Sen Smith, a top indoor bowls player in both Auckland and New Zealand. John remembers how everyone had to dress formally for team photos, wearing suits and ties. Unlike today’s more relaxed style, he believes things were better back then.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Unknown, Colleen Norris

Colleen’s Bowls Win While Six Months Pregnant

Colleen explains how she got involved in Auckland Deaf Society’s indoor bowls team for the 1968 NZ Deaf Sports Convention in Christchurch. The team was short on players, and since her husband was already going to play basketball, she decided to join. Her mother-in-law came to help look after her daughter. At the time, Colleen was six months pregnant. Despite that, she won the singles, doubles, and team events. She remembers how formal team photos were back then. In the November team photo, everyone tried to hide her pregnancy!