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For Ryan Jones, travelling to Japan for the 2025 Deaflympics was the result of years of hard work, persistence and a genuine love of sport.
Ryan has loved sport from a young age and has been playing soccer since he was about four years old. Over the years, he has taken part in school and club teams, as well as trying other sports, but soccer has remained his strongest passion. What has kept him going is the challenge, the enjoyment of competition and the determination to keep pushing forward, even when others have doubted what he could achieve.
Like many deaf and hard of hearing athletes, Ryan has faced communication barriers in sport. On the field, not hearing coaches or teammates can sometimes be misunderstood as not listening. Rather than staying quiet, Ryan learned to speak up about what he needed and encourage the use of visual cues and hand signals to make communication easier for everyone. This not only supported his own participation, but also strengthened teamwork.
Representing Australia as reserve goalkeeper for the Deafaroos at the Deaflympics was an experience Ryan describes with enormous pride. Through Deaf Children Australia’s youth grant, he was able to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would otherwise have been out of reach. In his report, Ryan shared that the grant made a real difference in helping him cover the significant costs of attending the Games.
One of the moments that will stay with Ryan was earning his first international cap in the friendly match against Iran. He was proud of his performance and of the chance to contribute to the team on the world stage. Another standout memory was the closing ceremony, where athletes from many countries came together in celebration. For Ryan, it was a powerful reminder that the Deaf community is global, connected and full of belonging.
The Deaflympics also changed how Ryan sees himself. Being surrounded by other deaf athletes gave him a stronger sense of identity, confidence and motivation for the future. His message to other deaf and hard of hearing children is simple: get involved, keep going and do not be afraid to try. You never know where sport might take you.
If you want to learn more, please watch the interview below.
