Visit Sunshine Coast
We’re almost 12 months away from the 2026 Australian Deaf Game, and the excitement is building!
In January 2026, Deaf and hard of hearing participants from Australia, New Zealand and more will come together on the Sunshine Coast to compete, connect, and celebrate our vibrant community through sport and culture.
With preparations well underway, now is the perfect time to start planning your journey to the Games – whether you’re a participant, volunteer, supporter or fan. Early bird registrations for adults are only $195!
Keep an eye out for our merchandise, it’ll be dropping soon!
Run, Connect, Celebrate!
The Sunshine Coast Marathon is Calling
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking for your next personal challenge, the Sunshine Coast Marathon offers a celebration of connection, community, and coastal lifestyle.
This iconic event reflects the values at the heart of Sunshine Coast 2032: to amplify, connect and unite. Bringing people together, building pride in the region, and creating lasting memories.
As we count down to the 2026 Australian Deaf Games, events like the Sunshine Coast Marathon remind us what this region does best: hosting inclusive, inspiring and high-impact community events that showcase the spirit and strength of the Sunshine Coast.
Expressions of Interest open for Deaf Sailing
Deaf Sailing at the Australian Deaf Games 2026 We are excited to announce that Deaf Sailing is being considered as part of the Australian Deaf Games (ADG) 2026, which will take place from 4 to 11 July 2026 on the Sunshine Coast! Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to the sport, this event will be a fantastic opportunity to connect, compete, and enjoy time on the water.
We’re developing a program that includes both official races and fun social sailing experiences for all skill levels. Stay tuned for updates and get ready to set sail with the Deaf community at ADG 2026! For any further information or questions please email to deafsailingqld@gmail.com
Introducing Jamie Howell,
2026 Australian Deaf Games Ambassador
We’re proud to welcome Jamie Howell as an ambassador for the 2026 Australian Deaf Games.
Jamie was born with a profound bilateral hearing loss and has always had a strong connection to both sport and education. She works as a primary school teacher in a bilingual bicultural classroom, supporting deaf and hard of hearing students to learn alongside their hearing peers.
Outside the classroom, Jamie is a passionate athlete. She has competed at the Deaflympics, Asia-Pacific Deaf Games, and national competitions in athletics, rugby, touch football and CrossFit. She also holds the Australian Deaf Women’s Long Jump record.
Some of her sporting highlights include:
- Winning gold, silver and bronze at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Deaf Games
- Representing Australia at the 2017 Deaflympics in Long Jump and 200m
- Playing in Deaf Rugby and Deaf Touch Football
- Playing for Yeronga Devils in QAFLW, named Best and Fairest in 2024
- Presenting the AFLW Premiership Cup in 2021
- Competing at the 2025 Torian Pro CrossFit Championships
- Selected to represent Australia in Long Jump at the 2025 Deaflympics in Japan
Jamie first attended the Australian Deaf Games in 2012 when she was just 13, and has been involved ever since.
She’s looking forward to taking part in the 2026 Games in her home state of Queensland and inspiring the next generation of Deaf athletes.
Introducing Tegan Blanch,
2026 Australian Deaf Games Ambassador
Tegan Blanch is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman from Koori Country (NSW). She is honoured to be part of an ambassador for the Australian Deaf Games.
Sport has always played a significant role in Tegan’s life. Growing up, she was involved in many different sports, inspired by her strong family connections to both state and Olympic-level competition. Her family has been incredible role models, shaping her passion and dedication to sport. “I don’t have a specific favourite sport because, for me, the most important part was playing as a team. I truly enjoyed the shared experiences, teamwork, and the sense of unity that came from being part of a group working toward a common goal.”
Tegan has proudly contributed to both hearing and Deaf sporting communities, representing at the state level, the Australian Deaf Games, the Deaflympics, and World Deaf Sports events. She brings this wealth of experience to her role with ADG 2026, helping to create opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
Do you know about Cérge?
Cérge has worked with hotels, restaurants and events and joined forces with Sunshine Coast Council earlier this year to improve interaction with Council spaces that showcase arts, entertainment, environmental activities, sport and recreation. A series of accessible tools have been developed so people can “know before they go” and understand venue accessibility ahead of time. These can include a 360-degree Virtual Tour, Visual Story & Sensory Guide.
Plan Your Trip with Ease – Great Deals Now Available
Heading to the 2026 Australian Deaf Games? Make your travel simple with SportsLink Travel, the official travel partner of the Games. They’ve secured competitive rates on flights, accommodation and transport, all close to event venues.
Whether you’re an athlete, volunteer, supporter or family member, book early to lock in the best options and focus on what matters — enjoying the Games!
Artwork Commissioned and Coming Soon
Grant Agreement with QLD Department of Education
Amplify, Connect, Unite!
Sunshine Coast 2032 are working with 2026 Australian Deaf Games on promoting our Games to a broader cross section of the Sunshine Coast community. Sunshine Coast 2032 worked with local stakeholders including Olympians, community organisations, athletes and traditional owners to create a meaningful logo which encapsulates the purpose of Sunshine Coast 2032. Stay tuned for more updates.
