James Ashley

James William Ashley was born deaf to hearing parents and attended Farrar Deaf School from 1957 to 1970. For the next 40 years, he dedicated much of his life to Deaf Sports. James’ career in sports started with Rugby League and Basketball which he played for NSW and Australia. He became a veteran of the Australian Deaf Games as both a player and an official. James served the Australian Deaf Games in a variety of roles including Secretary of NSW Deaf Basketball, General Secretary of Australian Deaf Basketball, board director of Deaf Sports Australia, administrator of NSW Deaf Rugby League and representative to World Deaf Games and Trans Tasman Games for the Deaf. James as been awarded Life Membership of Deaf Basketball and is recognised as the founder of NSW Deaf Sports Association.

Aside from sports, James volunteered as Bar Manager at the Stanmore Deaf Club

James’ professional career involved running Deaf Aussie Tours, where for 15 years he provided communication accessible tours across Australia for Deaf people. Since 1971 he has been working as a professional heavy haulage Truck Driver and Tourist Coach Driver., where coach driving during the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games provided a career highlight.

James is married to Diana Ashley with whom he has two children, Michelle and Paul.

Sources

Personal information from James Ashley

www.deafsports.org.au/inside-dsa/boardofdirectors.htm