Community connections for deaf students kicking goals

By Max Stainkamph

May 27, 2021

More than 50 deaf students from across northern Victoria came together on Tuesday at Guthrie Street Primary School for a soccer clinic with former Australian deaf soccer players.

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Former players Michael Katzakis and Micky Shipton took students ranging from Year 1 up to teenagers in their first few years of high school through their paces, while Deaf Sport Australia general manager Phil Harper was also taking part.

Students came from across roughly a dozen schools from Bendigo to Albury for the clinic organised by Bendigo Deaf Hub.

The day brought together students who ordinarily might not have the chance to interact with other deaf students.

Former Guthrie Street Primary School teacher Sue Richardson now lives in Albury and brought three students down from the border.

“These kids just don't have the opportunity to sign or meet other deaf students who are their age,” she said.

“It would blow their minds seeing so many people signing. It'll improve their confidence and I hope after today they see everybody signing that they sign more.

“They understand it, but are reluctant to sign themselves."

Teacher Maggie Cole works across a number of schools at Rutherglen, Yarrawonga and Wodonga and said the 14 students who came down were loving the day.

“They're isolated kids in a school so far removed from the city where it all happens,” she said.

“They don't get chances like this very often at all. They're loving it.”

Steve Thorpe's daughter Keeley is hard of hearing and he said Tuesday was the first time she'd had the opportunity to connect with a large number of other children who were deaf or hard of hearing.

Thorpe said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“We're a bit limited with where we are and the resources, so it's good to come down here,” he said.

Some pockets of the deaf community exist in northern Victoria, but Bendigo Deaf Hub founder Elise Stewart said isolation was as bad as she'd seen it in 20 years.

“You see how many kids are here and how easy it is for them to come together,” she said.

“It's mind-blowing, but heartbreaking, how deaf kids don't see each other often."

Deaf Victoria individual advocacy officer Catherine Dunn attended the day, which was the first time she'd visited Shepparton.

Dunn, who is deaf, said the soccer day was "amazing", and her organisation would lobby governments to help fund similar events in Shepparton and across the state.

“I grew up in the country and this is what I needed growing up, I'm from Horsham,” she said.

“Now seeing Ellie organise this, it's amazing. The contacts people have is invaluable. The city does have it, but in the country we have face-to-face access."

“It's hard to get out of the city, but today shows there is such a demand for these sorts of services. So many people need the support. We have proof here, there is demand."

For Stewart, having potential for more funding, more events and providing more connections for the deaf community in regional Victoria is just as important as the massive smiles on kids’ faces across the day.