Most of the sounds you can recognise: the squealing chirps of sneakers on polished wood floors, the thud and thump of a ball as it bounces, the visual chaos of netball players as they frenzy for position and progress the ball through the court.
However, there is something different about this event. The umpire at this game isn’t using a whistle, preferring a small white flag. Suddenly, the flag starts waving, and some of the players stop and start waving also, they are trying to get the attention of the other players. Feet stamp to catch the attention of the players who haven’t seen the commotion. There is very little talk happening, and the sport’s most-famous line, “Here if you need!” is nowhere to be heard. This is because the athletes playing this game are deaf. Netball Scoop has had the exclusive invitation to accompany the Queensland Deaf Netball team as it travels to Newcastle to compete in the Australian Deaf Games.
Netball at the Australian Deaf Games
Australia has celebrated the involvement of deaf athletes for over 140 years. Starting with a deaf cricket club in Melbourne in 1881. The first Australian Deaf Games was held 60 years ago, in 1964, with netball making its debut in 1966 as a women-only competition.
Today, teams are competing in women’s, mixed, and walking netball comps. There are 21 sports for athletes to compete in throughout the games. In the spirit of inclusiveness, along with each Australian State being able to field a team, this year sees unique invitational games with teams from the Oceania Deaf Games also competing. Teams from Fiji and New Zealand have flown to Australia to join the competition. The culture of inclusiveness is pervasive throughout the games, with over 1000 deaf athletes and 150 volunteers supporting the event. You never had to look far to find a volunteer or an interpreter to assist you if required…
READ the full article at source: https://netballscoop.com/ns-exclusive-here-if-your-need-the-australian-deaf-games/
