Kym Cheeseman
28 October, 2025
Japan, Tokyo - Eight Victorian athletes are set to take centre stage as part of Australia’s Women’s National Deaf Basketball Team, the Geckos. They are making a triumphant return to international competition at the 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo this November.
Following an impressive second-place finish at the Asia Pacific Deaf Basketball Championships, which were held in Melbourne (September 2024), the Geckos officially qualified for Tokyo. Which marked the team’s first Deaflympics appearance in 15 years, and a significant milestone for deaf basketball in Australia.
Basketball Victoria is proud to celebrate the achievements of our Victorian athletes, Isabella Russo, Ashleigh ‘AJ’ Bransden, Molly O’Callaghan, Ava Hough, Zahra Francis, Lily King, Lucy Christodoulou and Alysia Hahnel. These athletes will proudly represent Victoria alongside Head Coach Deb Coulson, Assistant Coaches Tracey Wightman and Braithyn Kerr, and High Performance Manager Durham McInnis. Their leadership and expertise have been instrumental in guiding the Geckos back to the world stage.
A Dream Come True
For Isabella, earning selection for the national team is a dream realised after years of dedication and persistence.
“My parents both played basketball when they were growing up, so I just walked right into it, I started playing when I was about five or six,” she said.
Her pathway to the national team wasn’t straightforward. After missing the Asia Pacific Championship trials due to injury, Isabella’s determination and potential caught the attention of a coach who invited her to a training camp.
“I was asked to come in one Sunday morning, and after attending several training sessions and the High Performance camp, the coach told me in front of the whole team, with my parents there, that I’d been selected. It was really emotional, and such a special moment.”
To represent Australia, means everything to Isabella, “You grow up playing sport and dream of representing your country. I never thought I’d make it, it doesn’t feel real. What an honour.”
Overcoming Challenges
Like many athletes, Isabella’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
“Injury has been a big one, especially dealing with concussions, and COVID really slowed my development in those early years of representative basketball,” she said.
“Playing in mainstream competitions has also been hard because I can’t hear the calls on court. But with the Geckos, communication is different - it’s more physical, we make eye contact, use hand signals, and play with trust.”
Building a Connected Team
Since trials began in late 2024, the Geckos have held monthly training camps in preparation for their Deaflympics campaign.
“It’s been really intense, about five hours on court each day, but there’s so much support from the coaches and the strength and conditioning team,” Isabella said. “Everyone’s feeling ready.”
The team includes athletes from across the country, united by shared values of effort, respect, and connection, “Everyone has been so welcoming,” Isabella said. “Coming in, I hadn’t really experienced the deaf sporting world before. I was one of the youngest at just 15 when I began training with the squad, but the group has been amazing. We all have a shared understanding of adversity, and that’s made us closer.”
United by Culture and Connection
Photo Credits: Traviphotography
Head Coach Deb Coulson said the team’s strength lies in its culture, built on trust, communication, and shared leadership, “We’ve built this group around players who buy into our culture, they work for each other and understand that success comes from unity. Communication is everything.” Coulson said. “We use signing, gestures, and eye contact, it’s made us a stronger team. That connection is our superpower.”
Eyes on Tokyo
For Isabella and her teammates, excitement is building ahead of Tokyo.
“We just want to see all our hard work pay off. If we win our first game, that would be huge, and winning a medal would be beyond amazing,” she said.
Asked what sets this group apart, Isabella didn’t hesitate, “Our connection. We really understand each other on the court. We’re physically ready, but it’s how we play together that makes us strong.”
Representing with Pride
The Deaflympics, first held in 1924, are one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious multi-sport events, showcasing deaf and hard of hearing athletes from around the globe. The 2025 Games will bring together more than 4,000 athletes in Tokyo from 15 - 26 November.
For the Geckos, this journey is about more than results - it’s about representation and inspiring the next generation.
“We want to show that ability isn’t defined by hearing,” Coulson said. “This team proves that inclusion and high performance go hand in hand.”
Victorian Pride Continues with the Goannas
The men’s team, the Goannas, are also stacked with Victorian talent, further highlighting the strength of the state’s deaf basketball community.
Five Victorian athletes have earned selection - Callan Brooks, Sam Cartledge, Sam Rickard, Thomas Ginger and Tyler Ferres. They’ll join Head Coach Brent Reid and Assistant Coaches Charles Fyffe and Gerard Leonard, showcasing the incredible depth of talent and leadership coming out of Victoria.
Their inclusion reinforces Basketball Victoria’s commitment to providing opportunities for all athletes to compete and thrive - no matter their background or pathway, and it demonstrates how the state continues to be a driving force in the growth of deaf and hard of hearing basketball nationally.
Together, the Geckos and Goannas will proudly fly the flag for Australia in Tokyo next month, representing not just their country, but the spirit, skill and unity of the Victorian basketball community.
Check out the full Geckos and Goanna's team list and more info below.
To find out more about the Deaf Olympics and how you can follow the Geckos and Goannas click below.
