2024 Australian Deaf Games Recap

Did you see this year’s first edition of the Tap from the games in Newcastle?

More about the Games

Deaf and hard of hearing athletes from across Australia and the Pacific battled it out across 19 sports over 7 days. 

The 2024 Australian Deaf Games came to a close on 20 January with host state NSW taking out the prestigious John M. Lovett Cup. 

Deaf Connect are proud to be the principal sponsor of the Australian Deaf Games and were present to congratulate athletes and present medals at several events. 

Deaf Connect also distributed some exciting children’s Deaf sports activity books as well as Auslan sport sign posters throughout the games as well as all registrants receiving a Deaf Connect bucket hat. 

Don’t forget to download the activity book and poster.

Deaf Connect also supported Deaf Sports Australia’s “More than Sport” exhibition at the Newcastle Library. This exhibition shares stories, images, objects, and footage of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals’ contributions to sports.   

We can’t wait for the next edition of the games in 2026 on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. 

Here are some numbers shared at the closing ceremony that might pique your interest.

Throughout the games there were;  

• Over 820 participants from all over Australia, Fiji and New Zealand 
• 85 Volunteers 
• 52 Interpreters 
• 19 Sports 
• 600 medals presented at sporting events across the Hunter region 
• 35 activities within the social program seeing attendance of 1400 people 
• 470 visitors to the Deaf Sport Exhibition at Newcastle Library 
• 48 committee meetings for games organising committee  
• The youngest participant was a 10-year-old chess player 

For behind the scenes and content from the games, click here.