With less than 20 days to go until the 2025 Deaflympics kick off in Tokyo, Sydney teenager Mary Palogiannidis is preparing to don the green and gold for the Australian Deaf Football Koalas – the national women’s deaf football team – as they chase Olympic glory.
At just 17 years old, Mary is the only player of Greek heritage in the squad and one of its youngest members.
A proud student of Matraville Sports High School’s Talented Sports Program, where she trains under Sydney FC manager Ante Juric, she will also play for Sydney Olympic FC’s Under-18s in the 2026 season.
Her passion for football and her dream to represent Australia have driven her to train daily, balancing schoolwork, club commitments, and national team preparations.
But for Mary and her teammates, the road to Japan has been far from easy. With minimal government funding, the Koalas must raise their own funds to cover travel and accommodation costs.
Her journey reflects a broader challenge facing deaf athletes across Australia.
Deaf Football Australia Secretary Brian Seymour told ABC News deaf sports receive little support compared to Olympic and Paralympic programs. He noted that while it could cost close to a million dollars to send around 100 athletes to this year’s Deaflympics, most of that money must come from fundraising and charity support.
Despite this, Mary’s mother said her daughter’s selection was a proud moment not only for their family but also for the Greek Australian community. With grandparents from Symi, Kos and Asia Minor, Mary carries her Hellenic heritage with pride as she prepares to represent both her country and her culture on the world stage.
For Mary, the experience is about more than medals – it’s about representation, resilience, and pride.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent both Australia and the deaf community, and also to be someone that younger girls can look up to,” Mary said. “I never would’ve thought that I would be playing for such a team because I have hearing loss.”
The Deaflympics will take place in Japan this November, uniting athletes from across the world in a celebration of talent, perseverance, and inclusion. With her community behind her, Mary is determined to make every moment count – on and off the field.
