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For Hawkesbury physiotherapist Arron Devine, volunteering with Deaf Football Australia has become more than just a professional contribution — it’s a journey rooted in community, inclusion and giving back.
For over seven years, Devine has volunteered his skills to support the organisation, attending more than a dozen week-long training camps across Sydney and at the AIS in Canberra. His commitment culminated in 2023 when he joined the national men's team at the Deaf Football World Championships in Malaysia.
“The people, the energy, the connection — it’s just powerful. We went through the entire tournament without a single injury — that was something special.” - Aaron Devine
The Australian men’s squad finished 12th overall, which earned them qualification for the upcoming Deaflympics in Japan.
This next tournament holds extra significance for Australia’s women’s team, since it will mark their first competitive international event in over two decades. Devine will be part of the support staff for both men’s and women’s teams, offering physiotherapy care and on-field assessments throughout the competition.
While the Deaflympics are a globally recognised event, domestic support for deaf football in Australia still faces hurdles. Devine explains that at present, Deaf Football is not officially classified under parasport — which means there's no government or Australian Sports Commission funding allocated. All players and staff, including physiotherapists, are self-funded and depend heavily on donations and sponsorships.
Yet hope is strong, especially as Australia has been chosen to host the 2027 Deaf Football World Championship, marking a major milestone for the local deaf sporting community.
Devine’s initial involvement came after a former coach reached out, inviting him in. “They welcomed me straight away,” he says. Over time he’s picked up quite a bit of Auslan (Australian Sign Language), but admits he’s still learning at each camp and event. On-field assessment and treatment can be tricky without hearing the players in the usual verbal way, but the presence of an interpreter means communication flows. Devine says this experience has made him more concise and efficient — making him a better physiotherapist in all of his work.
Volunteering is a core value for him, especially now that he has a unique skill set to give. He hopes his daughters, Hazel and Niamh, will see what he has achieved and understand the importance of helping others in the community.
Supporters who wish to contribute can do so via his GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/2f556f945
Devine runs Family Physiotherapy, with clinics in Hawkesbury (Hobartville and Windsor), Winmalee, and Quakers Hill. For more information, or to leave feedback, you can visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bmfamilyphysiotherapy
You can also leave a Google review: https://g.page/r/CWGra99EgS4KEAg/review
