Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) holds a strong and critical leadership position within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in that we recognise the important role sport plays in ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing people have the opportunity to participate in sports at all levels.

Our objectives are: 

• To be the peak body for deaf and hard of hearing sport in Australia;

• To foster, promote and encourage deaf and hard of hearing people's participation and skill development in all forms of sport in partnership with our members;

• To continually advocate, educate, inform and support the mainstream sporting structure to make it deaf and hard of hearing friendly and capable of including deaf people within the structure;

• To foster relationships with government, deaf and mainstream sporting bodies to support the access requirements and participation of deaf people in sport at all levels; and

• To be a role model organisation for fostering leadership and mentoring in deaf and hard of hearing sport, which includes our Active Deaf program.

Currently, sport in Australia is structured in a way that Deaf Sports does not receive the recognition and support as other disability sport organisations receive on their pathway to the Paralympics. The Deaflympic Games is recognised by the International Olympic Committee. The lack of support for deaf sports has a profound impact especially with the deaf sporting community in Australia struggling to keep up with the rankings at international deaf sports competitions. Many other Deaflympic nations receive recognition and funding from their Governments, however the Australian Deaflympic team whilst acknowledged by the Australian Government does not receive regular funding compared to the Olympic and Paralympic teams. Every four years, Deaf Sports Australia needs to apply for a grant hoping funding would be provided. 

With reference to the overall disability sector, there is a good deal of inconsistency in the funding of the various NSODs:

* Intellectual disability sports receive $645,000pa that is provided to two organisations;
* Disability Sports Australia receives $210,000 pa
* Blind Sports Australia receives $65,000 pa

In addition to this funding the Australian Paralympic Committee receives $2.8M that supports athletes with disabilities to represent Australia at the Paralympics. Further, a number of National Sports Organisations receive high performance and participation funding that supports these disabilities. Deaf Sports receives no high performance funding, and as of 2016/17 participation funding has been cut.

Deaf Sports Australia has received a yearly operational grant at  $85,000 per annum for the last 13 years, and there has been no changes to the grant. This has allowed the employment of one staff member who has been supported by hard working volunteers and a Board of Directors.

In 2012, DSA secured a $100,000 grant from the Australian Sports Commission to start the Active Deaf Kids (ADK) Program – we have been very fortunate that this participation grant continued for 4 years, in which has seen a number of successful outcomes that were overseen by an additional DSA staff member.

National Deaf Sports Organisations throughout the world are members of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf who oversees a number of programs with their largest event known as Deaflympic Games being held every 4 years. As mentioned, we do not receive any high performance funding, and every four years we have to ask for grants totalling approximately $80,000 to support our team attending the Deaflympics. The actual cost of sending the Australian Team to the Deaflympic Games is approximately $350,000. 

The impact by the lack of funding affects Deaf Sports Australia’s ability to fully promote and encourage young deaf and hard of hearing participants to achieve their best through sports. Many deaf and hard of hearing kids are already suffering the effects of depression, obesity and mental health issues as a result of the lack of support, isolation and sports programs in which they should access.

In addition, young deaf and hard of hearing kids have no role models to look up to. For Deaf Sports Australia to provide a strong and sustainable program, additional funding is required to continue the successful Active Deaf program and to support elite Deaflympians with their training and international competitions.

Not only young deaf and hard of hearing kids aspire to be Deaflympians, they also aspire to become Olympians and Commonwealth Games achievers. However, this cannot happen without a supportive structure that is usually provided by Deaf Sports Australia. 

We have 4 months until the 2017 Deaflympic Games commence in Samsun, Turkey from 17 – 30 July and and we need your help with donations to ensure our Deaflympians can focus on their preparations without having to be distracted by the lack of financial support. 

Your donation will greatly assist our athletes like Sam Cartledge who is part of the Goannas Basketball team that won a gold medal at the 2015 Asia Pacific Games for the Deaf. They are vying to be in the top 5 at the upcoming Deaflympic Games. In addition, young athlete Jamie Howell who won gold, silver and bronze at the 2015 Asia Pacific Games for the Deaf in track and field disciplines is determined to continue her winning streak at the upcoming Games. Your help will lift their spirits so that they can focus more on preparing for the main event.

You can help by providing a donation via our Australian Sports Foundation Fundraising account by clicking here: https://asf.org.au/projects/deaf-sports-australia-foundation/australian-deaflympic-team/

All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for supporting the Australian Deaflympic Team!