Tony Walton, Team Manager for the 44-strong New Zealand squad, recalls the unforgettable send-off for the 1985 World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles. The entire team marched proudly down Dominion Road with a police escort, cheered on by the community, before gathering at Auckland Deaf Society for speeches and food. Their official team uniform was sponsored by Morris Coutts’ workplace – a smart way to save costs ahead of the international trip.
Proud to Represent: NZ’s 1985 Deaf Games Send-Off
2025 •
- Deaf Sports
Tony Walton, Team Manager for the 44-strong New Zealand squad, recalls the unforgettable send-off for the 1985 World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles. The entire team marched proudly down Dominion Road with a police escort, cheered on by the community, before gathering at Auckland Deaf Society for speeches and food. Their official team uniform was sponsored by Morris Coutts’ workplace – a smart way to save costs ahead of the international trip.
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Relevant Links
Taonga source:
Tony Walton
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, TWADS-04-STO25
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 2)
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1985
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1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
DEAF GAMES
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1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
New Zealanders compete in the cycling individual time trial event
New Zealanders, Hayden Costar and John Ooteman compete in the cycling individual time trial event. John won a gold medal in the 35km time trial with 51:10 minutes.
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1960-80s
Object – Taonga source: John McRae
Auckland Deaf Society Life Member: John McRae’s pin and badge collection of national and international Deaf sport events
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1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Penelope Went and Pamela Croskery: Silver Medallists, Badminton Ladies Doubles – Los Angeles 1985
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1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games
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1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Kiwi Power! Gold (and silver) in the badminton ladies doubles
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NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Los Angeles 1985: An update from the team manager with team results
The New Zealand team manager, Tony Walton, reports on the team’s results at the Los Angeles 1985 World Deaf Games including where the team stayed and played at.
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1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
New Zealand delegates attend CISS meeting
The two New Zealand delegates, John McRae and Margaret Coutts, attend the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds) meeting whilst at the Los Angeles World Games of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories
1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Patch: Los Angeles 85, World Games for Deaf
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