Deaf sport in New Zealand encompasses a distinct community with its own international competition pathway — the Deaflympics. Deaf athletes compete separately from Paralympic athletes in their own Games held every four years. New Zealand has a long tradition of deaf sport across football, basketball, cricket, volleyball, and other codes. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Deaf Sports NZ is the national governing body:
- Deaflympics team selection and preparation
- National deaf sport competitions
- Club development and affiliation
- Advocacy for deaf sport funding
Contact Deaf Sports NZ for national programme access.
Sport NZ funds disability and inclusive sport:
- Disability sport investment: Deaf sport may be included in disability sport investment
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa: Community sport participation including deaf clubs
- RSTs: Community sport delivery for deaf clubs
Note: Deaf sport is distinct from Paralympic sport — approach Sport NZ and your RST clearly identifying your deaf sport context.
Deaf Aotearoa is the national deaf community organisation:
- Advocacy for deaf community including sport
- Community development grants
- Connection to deaf community networks
Deaf Aotearoa is a natural partner for deaf sport grant applications.
RSTs fund deaf sport clubs:
- Aktive Auckland: Auckland deaf sport
- Sport Wellington: Wellington deaf community sport
- Sport Canterbury: Canterbury deaf sport
- Sport Waikato: Waikato deaf sport
RST deaf sport funding:
- Club development and capacity
- Equipment grants
- Competition costs
- Junior development
Gaming trusts fund deaf sport clubs:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community disability and deaf sport
- Grassroots Trust: Community sport including deaf clubs
- Pub Charity: Equipment and programme grants
- Lion Foundation: Community sport
Deaf sport gaming trust applications:
- Sports equipment for specific codes
- Court hire and facility costs
- Uniforms and competition costs
- Communication tools for deaf access
- Club development
Lottery Sport: Deaf sport clubs with active competition programmes.
Lottery Community Wellbeing: Deaf community programmes including sport.
Major deaf sport codes in New Zealand:
- Football (soccer): Deaf football teams and national competition
- Basketball: Deaf basketball clubs and competition
- Cricket: Deaf cricket — strong community in NZ
- Volleyball: Deaf volleyball competition
- Cycling: Deaf cyclists — road and mountain bike
- Swimming: Deaf swimming (separate from Paralympics)
- Athletics: Deaf track and field
- Tennis: Deaf tennis clubs
New Zealand Deaflympics representation:
- Deaf Sports NZ: Selects and prepares Deaflympics teams
- Summer Deaflympics: Football, swimming, athletics, tennis, cycling
- Winter Deaflympics: Skiing and winter sports
Deaflympic preparation funding is distinct from general deaf sport — contact Deaf Sports NZ for specific pathways.
Sign language accessibility:
- NZSL access: New Zealand Sign Language is an official language
- Interpreter grants: NZSL interpreters for sport events and meetings
- Visual coaching: Coaching methods adapted for deaf athletes
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People:
- Disability sport participation
- Deaf athletes may access disability sport investment
Deaf athletes are classified differently to other disability sport — be clear in applications whether your athletes are deaf (Deaflympics eligible) or deaf-blind (may also be Paralympic eligible).
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Deaf membership: Numbers of deaf and hard-of-hearing members
- Deaflympics pathway: Connection to national representation
- Communication access: NZSL use, visual coaching, deaf-accessible events
- Participant numbers: Members by age, gender, and hearing status
- Equipment: Specific sport equipment needs
- Social outcomes: Sport as deaf community connection
- Youth development: Deaf junior athletes
- Governance: Affiliation to Deaf Sports NZ
Tahua's grants management platform helps deaf sport clubs manage grant applications across Deaf Sports NZ, Sport NZ, RSTs, disability funders, gaming trusts, and community foundations, tracking deaf participation and community outcomes.