A lack of funding could squash the dreams of Australia’s Deaf Women’s Basketball Team as they plan to head to Tokyo in November for the 2025 Deaflympics.
The team, also known as The Geckos, have qualified to compete at the Deaflympics for the first time in 15 years but urgently need more funding to make it happen.
The team trains each month in Melbourne, with players flying in from locations across Australia to attend the high-performance weekend camps. Players largely self-fund this, while also balancing other work, study and personal commitments. All staff are volunteers.
The team is seeking $25,000 or more to cover the costs of their training camps ahead of Tokyo, including flights, accommodation, uniforms and staff support.
“The runway to Tokyo Deaflympics is incredibly tight,” Head Coach of The Geckos, Deb Coulson said.
“We’re hosting regular training camps here in Melbourne with all the wraparound support like strength and conditioning and training programs. They’re here and they’re ready. I would be utterly heartbroken if they’re unable to fulfil this dream.”
The Geckos have set up a fundraising page, which has raised over $1000 at the time of publishing.
In 2024, the team secured a second-place finish at the Asia Pacific Deaf Basketball Championships.
“We’re so proud and excited to qualify for the Deaflympics, but it’s more than just our sporting efforts on the court,” Geckos Captain, Sally Faerhmann, said.
“We want to inspire the deaf and hard of hearing community around Australia of the opportunities to represent your country playing a sport you love – that basketball can be for everyone.”
The Geckos were formed in 1982 and achieved early global success. They won a medal at the 1985 Deaflympics in Los Angeles, an outcome the team is hoping to replicate this year.
Geckos player and current Year 12 student Molly O’Callaghan said: “I’m so lucky I’m able to play basketball for my club, the Ivanhoe knights and my school. Being a part of the Geckos provides a different type of community and support that isn’t necessarily front of mind for others.”
“I never thought I’d have the opportunity as someone who is hard of hearing, to represent Australia. I want girls and women to know they can do it too.”
The Deaflympics is an international multi-sport event for deaf athletes held every four years.