Australian Deaf Games

The Australian Deaf Games (“the Games”) were first held in 1964 and they are the pinnacle of Deaf sporting events in Australia and owned and managed by Deaf Sports Australia (“DSA”). Involving up to 18 sports and now held every four years, the Games attract competitors from all over Australia and for the first time in 2008, from New Zealand. While sport is central to the event, the Games also provide a major social and cultural festival for the whole deaf community.

Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) undertook an extensive host city selection process for the Games over a 12 month period, which featured establishing an independent selection panel (with a representative form Sport and Recreation Victoria) and inviting all local councils in Victoria to submit bids for the event.

Following the process outlined above the City of Geelong was selected as the host city for the 2012 Australian Deaf Games, to be held from 14-21 January 2012.

2012 will mark the first time in 29 years since the Games were last held in Victoria and the Games have never been held in Geelong.