The men’s and women’s teams were headed to the Japan this week to compete at the 25th Summer Deaflympics, a fully sanctioned event which will see more than 3000 athletes take part from over 70 nations competing across 21 sports.
The Deaflympics – celebrating their 100th anniversary this year – are the pinnacle of deaf sport, where athletes compete under strict eligibility standards that ensure a level playing field by prohibiting hearing aids or cochlear implants during competition.
But while the Socceroos, Olyroos and Matildas all enjoy massive profiles and support, there is ironically silence around the Koalas – the Australian Women’s Deaf Football team.
“They are the silent Olympians. Nobody’s ever heard of them,” said Deaf Football Australia Secretary Brian Seymour. “Hopefully now in the build-up to Sydney hosting the World Cup in 2027, you’ll see a lot more and hear a lot more about the Koalas.
“People wouldn’t realise that to get to Japan for this event and for all our camps and trips, the team is self-funded. The girls and their families have to try and raise money for the trips, and our organisation helps out as best we can.
“It’s really a disappointment because the hearing Olympics, the Paralympics, and the Deaflympics all sit under the International Olympic Committee. The other two get funded, and we’re talking millions and millions over four years, and we don’t get one cent. We’ve had to pay for it ourselves.
