I'm Hugh Gionfriddo and I'm passionate about sport. I'm 17 years old from Melbourne, Australia and profoundly deaf with Auslan is my first language. Being Deaf, there are so many barriers that I face every day but when I play sport, I feel like I am on a level playing field to my hearing peers.

I have always been involved in sports growing up and found it an important outlet for me mentally as well as physically.

I first got into American Football when I was 15 years old and looking for something to do in the off season. Now, I am a part of two Victorian teams American Football Flag and Tackle.

Recently I was selected to represent Australia in the US Junior Flag Tournament 2025 in Los Angeles, California this month it was an amazing experience and one of my most proudest moments knowing I had reach the same league as my hearing peers.

Being profoundly Deaf my journey to reaching my sporting and personal goals is a bit more challenging as I do need extra resources. However, needing this extra support has not slowed me down as I have an incredible team of Auslan interpreters who work with me on and off the field. This has given me confidence that I can achieve anything and has led to where I am today.

I have also been selected as a part of the Australian U18’s team for American Football Australia’s Festival of Football championship against New Zealand on the Gold Coast in July. This is another incredible opportunity that I am extremely proud of being a part of.

I have set up this fundraiser in the hope for your support to raise funds needed to help cover costs of travel, kit requirements, accommodation for myself, my interpreter and a support person who need to travel with me.

Participation in these exciting events will also open up development pathways for the Olympics in LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 and if able, I will hopefully be able to pursue some more opportunities for development in both America and Australia.

I appreciate any gesture of support and I want to thank you for supporting me as a Deaf athlete representing Australia, I’m so proud to wear the green and gold.