Auckland Deaf Men’s Basketball team training

1972 •

On Auckland’s West Coast, Auckland Deaf basketball men train for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington 1972.

On Auckland’s west coast beach, Auckland Deaf basketball men train for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington 1972. They are given a tough training session by their coach, as they had been out drinking late the night before. Training later moves into the gym.

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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.