There is ability in every disability!
Callan Brooks embodies this saying. Brooks is clinically deaf, but that has never stopped him from playing the sport he loves, basketball. And he doesn’t just play for fun, he is playing at an elite level…just ask the Australian Goannas.
The Goannas are the Men's National representative team for deaf basketball in Australia and are made up of the best deaf athletes throughout the nation. Brooks has been a part of the team for the past seven years, but he wanted to take his basketball journey even further, and it would come in the form of the Country Basketball League (CBL).
Callan Brooks made his debut for the Traralgon T-Birds back in Round 7. He became the first deaf player to suit up in the CBL.
“Making my CBL debut is one of my favourite highlights this year. That and making the squad and joining the program I was overjoyed. I had organized and booked Auslan interpreting to be there to help with the communication barrier that is faced between non-hearing and hearing for every training and game. I have to acknowledge and admit that I don't think it would have been possible without interpretation on the court for training and games as it is so important to be able to follow coaching instructions, drills, and effective communication.”
“Australian Goannas being the national team we have players that come together from most states to form the team and prepare for international competition. I may be the first Australian Goanna to play CBL itself. We are advised by our Australian Goanna coaches to join high-level basketball teams/leagues when we are not together for training camp and competing internationally so we can work on our basketball, skills, and fitness.” Brooks said.
However, Brooks did admit there were some initial challenges adjusting to how the T-birds play.
“Adjustments were required. The biggest factor would be due to communication barriers. For example, in playmaking for the Goannas team, we use signs and not voices. So, when I'm on the court with t-birds there is the adjustment in no longer relying on only voice alone because I would not be able to receive the message.” He said.
“Sometimes I observe the court surroundings as quickly as I can, so I can determine the structure that is being played. Having played and communicated with Australia Goannas for over 7 years now, to the first season with t-birds with a whole new team…I’m quickly adjusting to how the t-bird team operates together.”
Callan relies on different methods to see/feel the turbulent nature of a basketball game.
“My impacts would be quite different from everyone else who’re not deaf, such as having no sound on the court, so I rely most heavily on the visual awareness of the game. I may sense vibrations and/or alerts that tell me things. My understanding of the game overcomes challenges as I would now consider myself experienced at basketball. It's not different for me in the sense of physicality like running, defending, playing hard, and pushing myself to be a winner. Basketball is already quite useful for me like umpires having basketball signs for calls, so all that's easy for me.”
Brooks has been relishing the opportunity to play in the CBL and he already has his sights set on next season.
“I have loved it so much! and I will be with the t-bird program for the rest of the season for sure. I will continually train hard, try to get a spot in games, follow the coach's instructions, and at the end of the day be proud playing a game I love. After the t-bird season, although I didn't make the Gippsland United squad, I have committed to training with them, and with that, I very much look forward to trying out again for the t-bird team in 2023.”
But, for this season Callan has set a few personal goals for himself and hopes he can help contribute to another T-birds championship.
“My personal goals are to contribute well and reliably to games and to keep up the training of course. Team goals I have noticed are their efforts for my inclusion into the team and its program. I am very proud of them and consider them friends. Especially when I could see they were keen to keep things the way it was as a team from winning their CBL championship in 2021/2022 and continue that momentum, but they have been incredible in making adjustments and including me in the program after seeing my commitment to be a part of it.”
After many successes and triumphs in his basketball journey, Brooks cites playing in the CBL as one of his major milestones.
“It is one of my biggest achievements. Although I have achieved great things to date such as Australia Goannas' first gold medal won ever in the Asia Pacific Deaf Games for Deaflympic and qualifying and playing Big V division 2 for Sherbrooke Suns when I was 25.”
“Making my CBL debut was something I achieved on my own because out here in this rural area they’re far fewer deaf individuals. Currently, I am the only deaf individual playing mainstream representative basketball in all of Gippsland. I would love to be wrong about this statement, but I don't think I am. I had to make more efforts prior to tryouts to make this happen such as an NDIS plan to support funding for interpreting to remove some barriers and to more evenly contest to make the squad.” He said.
Callan Brooks is trailblazing a path for the next generation of deaf athletes. He has some wise words for any upcoming deaf players wanting to follow in his footsteps.
“I would say to a younger deaf player that being deaf only makes us different and that it does not reduce our ability to compete and play basketball at a high level. With some accessible strategies in place, we can be together a part of a program for non-hearing and hearing, a more inclusive society. I am 30 years old now, and I wish I had this mindset and understanding of high-level basketball when I was 20, but that was a different life and there isn't anything I can do about the past, but I can do everything I can right now.” Brooks said.
“I would love to see more deaf individuals who love basketball have the confidence to be able to join their local mainstream representative basketball, and progress. While the Australia Goannas Men's Deaf Basketball team is an amazing team achieving amazing things nationally and internationally. I would be so proud to see a deaf NBL player one day.”
