Deaf Football Australia
About Us
Our history, mission & values
Our History
Founded in 1978
Deaf Football Australia traces its origins to a meeting held on 24 March 1978, when representatives from Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria came together at Stanmore Deaf Club in Sydney to establish a national governing body for deaf football in Australia.
Foundation
Representatives from Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria met at Stanmore Deaf Club in Sydney to discuss the formation of a national deaf football body. It was agreed that the Deaf Soccer Federation of Australia would become the governing body of deaf football in Australia.
Affiliation Established
Member states agreed to contribute affiliation fees to support the organisation and its national activities, establishing the financial foundation for the federation.
Executive Committee Formed
An Executive Committee was formally established with a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and elected delegates from each state — providing the organisation with its first formal governance structure.
Deaf Football Australia
Operating as Deaf Football Australia, DFA continues to provide national leadership for deaf and hard of hearing footballers across Australia, fielding the Deaf Socceroos, Deaf Koalas, and national futsal squads in international competition.
Founding Representatives
Stanmore Deaf Club, Sydney — 24 March 1978
Our Purpose
Mission & Values
Deaf Football Australia exists to grow, develop, and promote football and futsal for deaf and hard of hearing Australians — building a national program that is inclusive, high-performing, and connected to the global deaf football community.
Participation
Grow opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing Australians to participate in football at all levels of the game.
Development
Support athlete development pathways from grassroots programs through to elite international competition.
Inclusion
Advocate for inclusion across all levels of the football community in Australia.
Collaboration
Work in partnership with Football Australia, government bodies, and sporting organisations to achieve our goals.
Representation
Strengthen opportunities for national and international representation for deaf and hard of hearing Australians.
Promotion
Promote the game of football within the deaf and hard of hearing community across Australia.
Mission
To grow participation, support development, and promote football for deaf and hard of hearing Australians — from grassroots to elite international competition.
Vision
A thriving, inclusive deaf football community that competes with distinction and pride on the world stage.
Values
Inclusion · Excellence · Community · Integrity · Pride
Get Involved
Be Part of the
Journey
Whether you're a player, coach, supporter, or potential sponsor — there's a place for you in the Deaf Football Australia community.