23rd Deaf Sports Convention: Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball

1978
  • Deaf Sports
A packed YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game.
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A packed Auckland City YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game. Auckland beat Christchurch. There is also another game the next day – Auckland vs Manawatu. The Aotearoa Turi Shield went to Auckland with Terry Siviter awarded the Colin Kay Cup (Outstanding Sportsperson).

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!
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.
Taonga source:
Pam Croskery
Original format:
3" 8mm
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, PC16-02-SPO78
Note:
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