About| Victorian Team at the opening ceremony of the 14th Australian Deaf Games - Sydney, April 2003. |
Nationally, the pinnacle of sports events for deaf and hard of hearing people is the Australian Deaf Games (ADG). The ADG comprises State team competitions across the fifteen sports approved by Deaf Sports Australia (DSA). The ADG gives clubs/associations the opportunity to expose their athletes to National competition. The aim of the ADG is to promote the development of deaf and hard of hearing athletes. The ADG may be used to select and prepare athletes for representing the National team. Members of the National team compete at International competitions, most notably, the Deaflympic Games. | New South Wales netball player in action at the 14th Australian Deaf Games - Sydney, April 2003. |
Historically, the ADGs have been organised by deaf people. The Games give everyone the opportunity to meet, socialise, communicate in Auslan and make new friends, whilst the State rivalry remains great . | Western Australia Deaf Eight-ball player in focus at 14th Australian Deaf Games - Sydney, April 2003. |
Sport in Australia for the adult deaf started with cricket in 1880. By 1938, three sports (Cricket, Tennis and Table Tennis) had formed their own National Associations. Other associations followed: Basketball (1964), Netball (1966), Men's Lawn Bowls (1986), Golf (1971), Women's Lawn Bowls (1973), Squash (1976), Tenpin Bowling (1987), Soccer (1982), Swimming (1982), Darts (1985), Carpet Bowls (1987), Athletics (1992) and Eight Ball (1992). The first ADG was held in Sydney during 1964/65, although "Deaf Carnivals" were held as early as 1911. Prepared for DSA by Anne Bremner (July 1996) |
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