The Australian Deaflympic team has touched down at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, funded through a $40,000 Deaf Connect sponsorship.
Distributed through Deaf Sports Australia, the sponsorship ensures Australia’s 98 Deaflympians can compete alongside thousands of international athletes from 15-26 November 2025.
Deaf Connect will also 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 Mr Brett Casey said the organisation was 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,” he 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.”
He said Auslan90 would ensure the Deaf community in Australia could enjoy reporting, medal tallies and behind-the-scenes stories directly from Tokyo.
Casey also acknowledged the financial barriers faced by Australia’s Deaflympians, with the most 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.”
Deaf Connect is the largest whole-of-life service provider and social impact organisation for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing Australians.
Auslan90 daily news coverage of the Deaflympics is available on the Auslan90 youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@auslan90news, Instagram and Facebook.
