Deaf Connect backs Team Australia at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics
Published on: 14th November 2025
Team Australia has proudly touched down at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, funded through a $40,000 Deaf Connect sponsorship.
Distributed through Deaf Sports Australia, the sponsorship ensures that our nation’s 98 Deaflympians can compete alongside thousands of international athletes from the 15-26 November 2025.
In addition to this support, Deaf Connect will deliver Auslan news coverage of the Games through a special edition of its national Auslan news program, Auslan90, produced in collaboration with SBS.
Deaf Connect CEO Brett Casey said the organisation is proud to uphold Australia’s legacy of Deaf sporting excellence, with 2025 marking over 100 years since the first Deaflympics in 1924.
“Deaf Connect is honoured to be the Gold Medal Sponsor for the 98 athletes representing Team Australia as they compete alongside more than 80 other nations on the world stage,” Mr Casey said.
“Over a century after their inception in 1924, the Deaflympics continue to embody a powerful legacy of resilience, self-determination and exceptional talent that transcends nations, languages and cultures through sporting competition.
“Deaf sports play a vital role in building confidence, leadership and connection across generations. Through Auslan90, we’re ensuring that our Deaf community back home can enjoy reporting, medal tallies and behind-the-scenes stories directly from Tokyo.
Brett Casey – Deaf Connect CEO
Mr Casey also acknowledged the financial barriers faced by Australia’s Deaflympians, with the majority of Deaf athletes self-fundraising to cover the cost of their expenses.
“Despite the Deaflympics being recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1955, our Australian Deaf athletes still rely on financial support from not-for-profits like Deaf Connect and personal donations to ensure their attendance,” he said.
“In 2024, the Australian Government allocated $9.2 million for Olympians and $750,000 for Paralympians. As Deafness is not a category in the Paralympics, the Games are the only international sporting competition which have been specifically created to ensure Deaf inclusion.
“By spotlighting the incredible talent of our Deaflympians through Auslan90, we hope to encourage the Australian Government to implement funding schemes that provide equal opportunities – ensuring every Deaf Australian can reach their full potential,” Mr Casey said.
Auslan90 daily news coverage of the Deaflympics will be available on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Media Opportunities: For all media enquiries contact: Gabrielle Strosberg, External Communications Specialist:
Deaf Connect offers interpreting services for Auslan representation across all media. Interviews and comment are available from Deaf Connect CEO, Brett Casey.
The Deaflympics are an international multi-sport event for Deaf athletes, held every four years and organised by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will mark the 100th anniversary of the Games and feature 21 sports categories. The event is distinguished by its visual communication systems, including starting lights, flags and the use of International Sign, which ensure full accessibility for athletes and spectators alike. Over 3,000 athletes from 81 countries will compete at the 2025 Deaflympics.
Deaf Connect is the largest whole-of-life service provider and social impact organisation for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing Australians. We stand with the Deaf community to build capacity and influence social change while paying respect to the history, culture and language of Deaf Australians.
Deaf Connect is also the largest employer of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in our nation, a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme and an approved provider of in-home care for seniors. We are the country’s largest Auslan interpreting agency, and provide training in sign language through our RTO (RTO Provider Number 41192).
