Project Title: Power in Silence —The Story of Deaf Women's Basketball in Taiwan

Project Description

Originated from the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei, "Taiwan Deaf Women's Basketball Team" is the first in Taiwan to offer hearing-impaired women a place to pursue their passion for basketball. In contrast to professional athletes, the hearing-impaired basketball players train on a part-time basis, which means while they practice, they still need to take into account of their academic studies or jobs. Since most of them did not have a background in basketball prior to joining the team, in addition to hearing-impairment, the players and the coaches all need to work extra hard to achieve good results.

The team did not have much experience when they first started, so it was hard to receive adequate funding and resources. But with a strong determination, they flexed their power in silence, and overcame their obstacles: from the initial tryout at the 2009 Deaflympics, to publishing a book to self-finance, to winning the gold medal in the 2014 DIBF Asia Pacific Cup, and ranking first in Asia in the World Deaf Basketball Championships in Taoyuan in 2015, the team has now earned its qualification to participate in the upcoming 2017 Deaflympics. Their determination to overcome any obstacles and barriers touched the hearts of those around them. Our project aims to share and promote their story, so that more people can be inspired by their spirit, and unite to cheer them on, so that their efforts can flourish like the seeds and turn into beautiful blooms in the 2017 Turkey Deaflympics.

Community Description

Taiwan Deaf Women’s Basketball Team was established by Mr. Hsin-da Lee, Taiwan’s first hearing-impaired official basketball referee. Upon learning that Taipei had received qualification to host the 2009 Deaflympics, Mr. Lee felt it was the opportunity of a lifetime for hearing-impaired women in Taiwan who love basketball. For this reason, he initiated a Deaflympics training team, and paved the foundation for Deaf Women's Basketball.

Began in 2003, he recruited players from Taipei School for the Hearing Impaired and some other venues. During the six-year training period, the player’s turnover was immense, as many of them could not handle the workload, and so were the coaches. Fortunately in 2009, few months prior to the Deaflympics Game, women's basketball national champions, Ms. Pi-cheng Teng and Pi-yun Teng, agreed to serve as team coaches. It was then the team began to take form and unify.

Located at Datong District of Taipei City, Taipei School for the Hearing Impaired was the founding place for Deaf Women's Basketball. Later on, the team also trained in Taipei University of Technology with other women's basketball teams, as well as in Taipei Arena, the official site of the 2009 Deaflympics. Currently, the team is based in the gymnasium of Oriental Institute of Technology in Pan-chiao District, New Taipei City. This is the second home for deaf women's basketball players from all around Taiwan; players from the South to the North all gather here during the weekends to continue their efforts and to train for the 2017 Deaflympics.