NEWSLETTER | December 2015

Blind Sports Australia

December 2015

Promotion, Participation & Advocacy of Sports for the Australian Blind Community IN THIS ISSUE

A Message from the CEO A Message from the CEO As we lead into the The Board and I were pleased that so Page 1

festive season it is a many people could attend a BSA Member Updates: Blind Sports & good to take a little Sports Forum held over a weekend in Recreation Vic time to reflect on the October. Again there was a lot of Page 2 year that’s passed and information sharing and idea what has been generation. Also thank you to Tim Blind Sporting Association of NSW achieved and what should be Haggis (Australian Disability Sports), Sporting Wheelies & Disabled celebrated. Simon Rodder (Australian Sports Association Commission) and Tim Matthews Page 3

The big event and highlight this year (Australian Paralympic Committee) Association of SA Blind Sporting Clubs was the Blind Sports World Games in who attended and presented. Thank WA Blind Sports Federation Seoul, South Korea in May. A team of you also to the APC and Essendon Page 5 26 athletes, coaches and support Football Club for the use of their persons attended representing Blind facilities once again. Blind Sports Australia in and Tenpin Blind Australia Page 8 After the BSA Annual General Bowling. These games are a large event (bigger than the Paralympic Meeting, Mr Sam Theodore was Goalball Australia Games in numbers attending) with the elected by the Board as the Chair and Page 9 best blind and vision impaired athletes Ms Voula Karantzas as Deputy Chair. attending the Games. All the athletes Congratulations to both Sam and Blind & Vision Impaired Tenpin Bowling Other News performed well with Marilyn Luck Voula, and thank you to David Blyth Page 10 winning a gold medal in the Tenpin for his support and leadership of both Bowling and the Goalball Women’s BSA and to me personally over the Upcoming Events team placing fourth. last few years. Page 11

BSA Board Members & Member In August Blind Sports Australia hosted Thank you to Melissa Martin for Organisations an inaugural Blind Football forum in putting together this newsletter, to Page 12 Melbourne with representatives from all the Board and volunteers that each State attending. This was a very have worked with BSA this year for collegiate and sharing meeting and as your help and support – invaluable an outcome a draft strategic plan has and I do appreciate it. Lastly I wish been put together to develop the sport everyone a wonderful festive season in Australia. Blind Sports Australia and a safe and happy new year. Blind Sports Australia with the support of Blind Sport and A Foundation Member of the Recreation Victoria has also submitted Stephen Barnes, CEO Australian Paralympic Committee an Expression of Interest to IBSA ceo @ blindsportsasustralia.com.au (International Blind Sports Federation) ABN 68 008 621 252 to host an Oceania tournament in 2017. PO Box 2114, Oak Park Vic 3046

PAGE 1 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015

was recently successful in receiving a BSV has developed an innovative What have our grant from the City of Yarra to hold a Australia-first vision-impaired tennis series of walking tours and morning program. With many blind and vision Members been teas in the City of Yarra. impaired people never having held a tennis racquet or been on a tennis up to? These events will be held bi-monthly, court, this program enables you to starting in March 2016, with develop skills associated with tennis Blind Sports & more detailed information provided movements such as serving, forehand in February 2016. and backhand with the assistance of Recreation Victoria trained volunteers. Numerous types Miriam Bilander, who has of balls are used including audible, coordinated the Morning Tea in 2015 National Disability Awards coloured and various sizes tennis Moreland program, will continue as Minister for Social Services, the Hon balls. coordinator of this program in the Christian Porter MP announced the City of Yarra. If you are interested in selection of 27 finalists for the 2015 The program is held at the National attending these morning teas, please National Disability Awards. Tennis Centre (Indoor Courts). The contact Miriam on 98228876 or email National Tennis Centre is located Maurice Gleeson OAM, President of [email protected] within the Melbourne Park precinct, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria opposite AAMI Park Stadium, next to was one of the finalists in these Look Both Ways – Sharing Your Time Hisense Arena. The program is held awards. The National Disability project in Boroondara four times per year in six week blocks Awards have been set up to recognise Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria is on a Friday evening commencing at the valuable contribution continuing to create comfortable and 6.30pm. organisations and people make to accessible environments to enable improving the lives of people with people who have vision loss in Dates for 2016 are: disability in Australia,” Mr Porter said. Boroondara to get out and about with Term 1: 19 February, 26 February, 4 assistance from our great volunteers. March, 18 March, 1 April, 8 April Now in their ninth year, the National Term 2: 6 May, 13 May, 20 May, 27 Disability Awards are part of the Whether it’s sharing a walk in the May, 3 June Commonwealth Government’s park, attending a concert, creating Term 3: 5 August, 12 August, 19 celebration of International Day of music, exploring an exhibition hands- August, 26 August, 2 September People with Disability. on, learning about mindfulness and Term 4: 14 October, 21 October, 28 The 2015 National Disability Award meditation, going out for coffee with October, 4 November, 11 November, winners were announced at a ‘coffee mates’ or listening to the birds 18 November. ceremony on Wednesday, 25 which inhabit Boroondara, this November at Parliament House in project connects people together to If travelling by train, a meeting point Canberra. walk, talk, laugh and have fun. has been organised at the barrier at Richmond Railway Station (Swan Congratulations Maurice on a well- If you live, work or don’t mind Street end near the kiosk) at 6pm. deserved nomination. travelling to Boroondara and would like to participate in this project as a person who has vision loss or a volunteer, Janene would love to hear from you by phone on (03) 9822 8876 on Thursdays or email [email protected] For further information on the tennis program, please have a look at the Blind & Vision Impaired Tennis link Walking Tours in City of Yarra Program http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Pub Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria

PAGE 2 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015 lications/Video-Gallery/PICSAR- more about available social achievements as the volunteer

Friends-for-Fitness.aspx recreation grass roots sporting historian for Goalball Queensland Maurice Gleeson/Susan opportunities within their and Goalball Australia. Blind Sports Victoria community. This event is being held on December 10 & 11 and Blind Sporting participants will have the opportunity to experience Cricket, Goalball, Association of NSW Tennis, Futsal, Ten Pin Bowling, and ! 2015 Vision Camp The 2015 Vision Camp was held at Big thanks to Sally from Department States share honours at Australian Sydney Academy of Sport in of Education and Kelly from Vision Goalball Championships, 5/10/15 Narrabeen from Friday Dec 4th to Australia Orange for their support The 2015 Australian Goalball Sunday Dec 6th. Attendees were able leading up to this event. Also a big Championships have drawn to a close to participate in a range of activities thanks to our major partner PCYC in the historic Queensland city of including Ten Pin Bowling, Indoor Orange for allowing us to utilize their Ipswich after four days of Soccer/Futsal, Goalball, Cricket, wonderful venue for the sports over competition featuring Australia’s top Tandem Cycling, Judo, Archery & the weekend. players from Queensland, New South Vision Impaired Tennis. The Vision Murray Elbourn, President Wales, Victoria, Western Australia Camp offered attendees the Blind Sports NSW and South Australia (1-4 October). opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy new experiences in a Sporting Wheelies & The host state won gold in the supportive environment. Big thanks Women’s division, with the to Variety Club NSW and Vision Disabled Association combination of Paralympians Meica Australia for supporting this program. of QLD Christensen and Nicole Esdaile with

fellow national representative Raissa

2015 Sporting Wheelies and Martin proving too strong for New Surf Life Saving NSW Disabled Association Annual Awards South Wales 10-4. The sand in your eye Bondi Beach Barry Harpur was named “Col and event has been moved back to Peter Marsh Volunteer of the Year” at It was the perfect preparation for provide more time to set up the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Meica and Raissa ahead of the 2015 infrastructure for this event in Association’s Annual Awards on 20 IBSA Asia/Pacific Goalball relation to the buddy November. Championships in China in program and surfing lessons that will November, where they will attempt go hand in hand with break out Barry made a significant contribution to qualify the Australian women’s education sessions and the launch of to goalball in Queensland in 2015 as a goalball team for the Rio 2016 our online matrix website. Sign up Paralympics. volunteer referee and committee registration packets will be available member. He was a member of the in early January for this event which organising committee for the 2015 will support a more inclusion beach Australian Goalball Championships in community and partnership between Ipswich in October, where he also Surf Life Saving NSW and Blind Sports acted as Senior Referee over the four- NSW. The expected date will now be day event. He refereed at the July in late March 2016. state goalball championships and

officiated at Saturday morning social The Queensland men’s team “Activate Inclusion” competition in Brisbane over the six- (Michael Sheppard, Jon Horsburgh “ACTIVATE INCLUSION” is a new month season. Barry continued to and Mathew Eaton) claimed bronze program that promotes school mentor and train new referees to in their division with a convincing 13- students and their vision support national level, and keep meticulous 3 win over NSW. The three teachers working together to learn Queenslanders have also been records of results and player PAGE 3 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015

selected to represent Australia in of the bowlers this year were from China as they try to qualify the regional Queensland. This highlights national men’s team for Rio. the great work our local clubs are doing to welcome people with a Western Australia won the Men’s gold disability across the state,” he said. medal with a thrilling 7-6 victory over

Victoria. It was their second gold of The Association’s Sport and the championships following their 4-2 The four-day event was hosted by Recreation Manager David win over NSW in the Junior division Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Bartholomaeus said Bowls final. Association and featured around 200 Queensland delivered a quality event players, coaches, officials and for the bowlers, with senior Bowls NSW turned the tables on Western volunteers across the two competition Queensland officials playing key roles Australia in the Youth division final, venues, Ipswich Girls’ Grammar in the delivery of the competition. winning another tight game 8-7. School and Bremer State High School. For full results, visit “The quality of the competition this Queensland’s first mixed junior www.sportingwheelies.org.au/agc15. year was exceptional, and the BQ goalball representatives Sean officials were clearly impressed with Kendrick, Tobias West, Melodie West State bowls board lending weight to the level of skill on show,” said and Kendra Brewer went down 6-4 to inclusive practices, 9/09/15 Bartholomaeus. Victoria in their bronze medal play-off. More than 60 bowlers with a disability The Queensland mixed youth team have enjoyed three days of fierce Jake Fehlberg won his second (Brendan Young, Patrick Perring, Joe competition during Bowls consecutive Les Bushell Shield for best Hogg, Grace West, Nathan Luke) were Queensland’s State Multi Disability player of the championships within under-manned due to injuries but Lawn Bowls Championships at Aspley the blind bowlers division. Jake took fought strongly and improved Memorial Bowls Club (31 August-2 out the singles title and pairs title, throughout the tournament. September). partnering with singles finalist Chris Backstrom. Queensland players featured in both the individual and All Star Team “There was a lot to play for, with honours: bowlers in the Sporting Wheelies division vying for selection in the Women’s division national 2015 Multibowl . Meica Christensen – Most Championships on the Gold Coast in Valuable Player, Highest Goal October for bowlers with a physical Scorer, All Star Team disability,” Bartholomaeus said. . Nicole Esdaile – All Star Team Bowls Queensland (BQ) host the Bowls Queensland Board Director Men’s division annual event with support from its Colleen Ryan, stated, “I was blown . John Horsburgh – Highest Goal four partners – Sporting Wheelies and away by the attitude, stamina, Scorer Disabled Association, Life Stream sportsmanship and camaraderie of . Michael Sheppard – All Star Team Australia, Deaf Sport and Recreation the participants. They played in the Queensland and the Queensland Blind true spirit of the game and others Youth division Bowlers Association. could learn from that.” . Brendan Young – Most Valuable Player, All Star Team Daryl Francey, Development Officer – South Queensland, was happy with the number of bowlers who travelled from as far north as Mossman and as far west as Cloncurry to compete at the championships. “Over two-thirds PAGE 4 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015

Ryan is now interested in finding out tournament will encourage new participated in a race from Perth to what clubs are doing to promote the participants in the future. Rockingham and return, which is inclusion of people with a disability at around 25 nautical miles each way. local level and will discuss the During Term 4 we were also able to There were a few minor hitches but championships with the BQ Board. run a soccer program at the SA School overall the team did quite well. “It’s important that all people in the for the Vision Impaired (SASVI), with community have the same the assistance of FFSA & The Adelaide On the 29 November Retina WA held opportunity to access and enjoy our united Lady Reds soccer team, in their inaugural Tandem Cycling Have- sport,” she said. particular our great coach Tiarn A-Go Day for their members. A huge Powell. It was great to see the thank you to the WA Tandem Cycling Click here for full results of the development of news skills by the Advisory Council (WATCAC) for Queensland Multi Disability Lawn students and feedback received from providing tandems, coaching and Bowls Championships. the school was that the students (& experienced front riders and the teachers) thoroughly enjoyed it, with Retina WA members had a wonderful For more information about lawn many expressing an interest to and safe day. For more information bowls in Queensland, contact Daryl continue in the future. visit http://rawa.com.au or Francey on (07) 3355 9988 or email Kent Dredge http://watcac.org [email protected]. Sports Development Officer Blind Sports SA Blind Cricket Australia and the West Kelli Chilton, General Manager Australian Blind Cricket Club (The (Services), Sporting Wheelies WA Blind Sports Venetians) held a Come and Try day at the WACA cricket ground on Saturday Association of SA Blind Federation 28th November. These Come and Try days are held a couple times in the Sporting Clubs December 2015 year and are proving to be quite Greg Madson (President) and Erika popular. During November South Australia Webb (Secretary) of the Western hosted the Pacific School games. The Australian Blind Sports Federation For more information contact Lindsay tournament went well thanks to attended the WA Department of Sport Heaven, Director at Blind Cricket Goalball SA & Pacific school games and Recreation Disability Forum, the Australia http://blindcricket.org.au team who put in a lot of extra hours in final for the year. This forum is for preparing the court and making sure mainstream and disability specific Goalball Western Australia everyone enjoyed themselves. sporting clubs and groups, disability congratulated their WA players Congratulations to Western Australia service providers, local and state Steffan Nero, Murron Coyle and on their win in the grand final government to showcase activities in Darren Coyle coached by Natasha narrowly beating South Australia 9-7, the area of accessible sports. At this Cugley and team manager Lorraine whilst NSW triumphed over Qld for forum there was a panel with who travelled to Adelaide. The team the bronze. members from National Disability won gold at the 2015 Pacific School Services, Rocky Bay, and Gymnastics Games in Adelaide. We were very pleased to be able to WA and Athletics WA, speaking about showcase Goalball as an inclusive making sport inclusive and accessible. Students aged between 10 – 19 years sport to the rest of the state. The WA Department of Sport and from at least 12 countries, including Throughout the tournament we were Recreation has a range of resources every Australian state and territory, also able to demonstrate the sport to that are useful. competed from November 21 – 29, Westminster school students, http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au 2015. Australian students qualify for overseas competitors and even some the Games through their state or baseballers who were in the area. We November 2015 territory school sport unit pathways are hoping that the success of the On the weekend of 28 and 29 and international students follow their November our WA Blind team

PAGE 5 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015 national school sporting association the equipment for Beep Baseball from “From Paralympian to star student”, pathways. the USA. They are looking for keen Thursday, 22 October 2015 players to set up a team or a come and Despite having conquered the world For more information about Goalball try game. Contact Erika from WA Blind as a Paralympian, Lyn Lepore thought Western Australia or for their Sports Federation her vision impairment meant Newsletters which can be [email protected] for university was out of reach for her. But downloaded visit: more information. now, 14 years after claiming gold in http://www.goalballwa.com.au October 2015 the women’s tandem cycling event at

Blind Football (Soccer) Western the Sydney Paralympics, she is well on Blind Citizens WA Swish held on 11 Australia are looking for keen players her way to finishing a Bachelor of November at St Luke's Church Hall. to set up a team or to hold a come and Exercise and Sports Science. Swish is Blind Table Tennis played on try game. If you are interested contact the second Saturday of each month, Blind Football Western Australia via Lyn will share her story of sporting and 1pm to 5pm in Maylands (a short walk their Facebook page at: academic success at an ECU event to from Maylands Station). $3 with tea http://www.facebook.com/Www.blin mark International Day for People and coffee provided and lots of fun. dfootballwesternaustralia.com.au/?re with a Disability, which is celebrated For more information visit f=ts&fref=ts on 3 December”. www.bcwa.org.au All welcome! VisAbility congratulated everyone The full article can be found at: The West Australian Blind Cricket Club who competed in the Western https://www.ecu.edu.au/news/latest (The Venetians) Played and are playing Australian Blind Golf Association Open -news/2015/10/from-paralympian-to- various teams over the summer Championship on 15 and 16 October. star-student season. They are looking for VisAbility's Executive Manager of interested players and volunteers. Operations Debra Barnes presented On the 14th October the year was the You can visit the West Australian Blind the VisAbility’s Senior's Trophy to BWA - Bicycling Western Australia, Cricket Club Facebook page at winner John White and caddy Ross Ride2Work 2015 Breakfast. http://www.facebook.com/West- Thompson. Australian-Blind-Cricket-Club-The- Deanne & Jennifer of "Out of Sight Out Venetians- If you want to play golf or be a caddy of Mind" riding team and 2 members 1374441959461945/?fref=nf contact Western Australian Blind Golf of WA Tandem Cycling Advisory Association at http://wabga.org.au/ Council (WATCAC) team attended the For the month of November Goalball Breakfast before going to work. Western Australia were selected to Greg Madson (President) and Erika If you would like to ride tandems participate in Local Matters at Grill’d Webb (Secretary) of the Western either as a front rider or a back rider Brookfield Place for the whole month Australian Blind Sports Federation please contact WATCAC at of November! People drop a bottle attended the Blind Sports Australia, www.watcac.org top token into a jar at Grill’d and at the Sports Forum held at Essendon end of the month the $500 is split with Football Club in Melbourne on 24 and On the 12th October Peter Greco of $300 going to the jar with the most 25 October. The weekend was a 5RPH Radio 1197 AM Adelaide chatted bottle top tokens and $100 spilt over strategic planning session with the with Ben Rowe, Vice President of the other 2 jars groups or member clubs and organisations and Goalball Australia, Coach, and a organisations. also included the Annual General Member of the Winning State at the Meeting. Goalball Nationals wrapped up the Thanks to Grill’d Brookfield Place - Games. Tech Building at 125 St Georges One of WA’s Tandem Cycling Terrace Perth. Paralympian athlete was the feature The Western Australian Blind Sports of a recent article in the Edith Cowan Federation member clubs and groups Are you interested in Beep Baseball? University newsletter. met with David Blyth & Stephen A group of WA parents have bought Barnes from Blind Sports Australia on PAGE 6 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015

Sunday 11th October at the Mercure inspirational-athlete-takes-on- Australian Blind Sports Federation Perth hotel. The clubs and groups busseltons-ironman/2/ attended the quarterly WA represented were WA Lawn Bowls, Department of Sport and Recreation Blind Cricket, Tandem Cycling and Darren, has a vision and hearing Disability Forum. This forum is for Goalball. impairment, but he says he isn’t going mainstream and disability specific to let that stop him. sporting clubs and groups, disability Also on the 11th October Stephen “I have conquered a lot of challenges service providers, local and state Barnes of Blind Sports Australia was a in my life, but one challenge I have government to showcase activities in guest speaker at the Blind Citizens been wanting to do for a long time is the area of accessible sports. Australia 2015 National Convention at an Ironman 3.8km swim, 180km bike The WA Department of Sport and the Mecure Perth, speaking about the ride and a 42km marathon run,” says Recreation has a range of resources challenges of getting people who are Darren. that are useful. blind and vision impaired into sports. http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au West Australian Blind Cricket Club September 2015 (The Venetians) were thrilled to have Westerners Blind Golf Club (Inc) (from Self defence is a useful tool for anyone Fay Cotter - scorer, games coordinator the September WA Disabled Sports at any age. VisAbility have a qualified and club treasurer - recognised with a Association WADSA Newsletter) instructor Atsuko teaching defensive City of Bayswater Blue Ribbon Award manoeuvres, confidence-building for Volunteer of the Year! The business end of the fixtures is techniques and basic Jujitsu moves to coming up in September when we play people with vision impairment on WA Blind Sailing team member Kylie our Club Championships and Match Monday mornings. Carers and family Forth - Climb For A Smile - Fundraiser Play and it won’t be long before we members are encouraged to join in. are attending the last fixtures on our Participant Linda says "learning self- Instead of participating in the World books, the Awards and dinner evening defence makes me more confident, Sailing Championship this year, Kylie on the 20th November at Maylands keeps up my fitness, and helps me feel climbed the 1042 steps to reach the Golf Club. We are also very lucky to safer as I go about my daily life." 50th floor of 108 St George's Terrace, have a few of our older members Contact VisAbility to find out more: the former Bank West Tower, to help attend this each year. http://bit.ly/1Gun9wD eradicate world polio. We have the WADSA Day at Melville An inspirational athlete takes on There are only three countries left in Glades and though we don’t have the Busselton's Ironman in WA (video) 23 the world where polio is still endemic: golfers to attend this day as we only September 2015 Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, play 9 holes now we still enjoy it with only 412 cases diagnosed immensely; then we have our annual The next man your about to meet is worldwide in 2013. The goal is in sight game against the Lake Claremont nothing short of inspiring. He's about to eradicate this debilitating disease retired Men’s Club shortly after once to put himself up to his biggest from the world altogether. The only their ‘nomad’ members return. We challenge yet. other disease ever successfully have had a few new caddies and a new removed from the planet is smallpox. blind golfer and we will continue to Darren Stevens who is 23 years old put our club out to the forefront to try and is going to compete in the 2016 Climb For A Smile was run by the to boost our numbers. We have also SunSmart Ironman in Busselton in Rotary Club of Crawley on Sunday 13 taken delivery of 3 new buggies - Regional WA. But he needs help. September, and aimed to raise courtesy of Lotterywest and thanks to Darren needs guides to run, ride and $70,000 for various community WADSA for their help - which are in swim with him. causes. Kylie hopes to raise $2 for use each Friday and our members are every step I climb. delighted with them. To watch the video visit: Erika Webb, Secretary, The Western https://au.gwn7.yahoo.com/w1/vide Greg Madson (President) and Erika Australian Blind Sports Federation o/-/watch/29618288/an- Webb (Secretary) of the Western

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Blind Annual General Meetings Blind Cricket Australia At BGA’s AGM, the Board for 2015/16 Blind Golf Australia (BGA) like most was appointed as follows - President The 33rd Blind Cricket Championships Australian golf clubs is struggling to Doug Sloan, Vice President Rod Mills, The 33rd Blind Cricket Championships maintain our membership numbers. If Secretary /Treasurer Dona squads have just been announced and any readers happen to know any blind Kuruvitaaratchy, Directors Robert we are pleased to announce those who or vision impaired person who may be Curtin and Ross Thompson and have been chosen, by each state, to interested in trying golf as a new sport, Director/Handicapper Geoff Walsh. participate in the upcoming or reviving a long lost interest in the championships being held in game, please contact us. Our contact BGNSW’s Board is unchanged. Melbourne from the 28th of December phone numbers and email addresses

2015 through to the 7th of January can be found on our website WABGA have a new President in Gerry 2016. www.blindgolf.com.au Brown who replaced Ross Thompson

after Ross’s 3 year term. We also invite you to check out the The last quarter of 2015 has been a

Victorian Blind Cricket Association’s busy time for blind golf with NSW Open webpage, which will regularly update . the Annual General Meetings of The NSW Open was played at Barnwell you on the goings on throughout the BGA , Blind Golf NSW (BGNSW) and Park on September 17/18 as a 36 hole champs. Western Australian Blind Golf stroke event with 15 players. The net Association (WABGA); winner was Graham Coulton with a Come & Try Day . the NSW Open in September, the great score of net 87. Rod Mills was the A great day had by at the Victorian WA Masters and the WA Open in gross winner with 159. Blind Cricket Australia Come and Try October; day in November at the MCG. . completion of the 2014/15 Order Full results - all events won by BGNSW of Merit; members With the tragic terrorist attacks in . a decision to stage the inaugural Net Winner: Graham Coulton, 87 Lebanon and France over the days Queensland Open in July 2016; and Gross Winner: Rod Mills, 159 prior, it was a blessing and a refreshing . allocation of places for BGA Ladies Net Winner: Jenny Abela, 112 change to be out on the mighty MCG members in the 2016 ISPS HANDA B3 Net Winner: John Hayward, 102 for the Victorian Blind Cricket Come World Blind Golf Championships to B2 Net Winner: Jenny Abela, 112 and Try Day. Some great talent was be staged in Japan in November B1 Net Winner: Glenn Niciejewski, 105 present and all the kids had a ball! 2016. Putting Champion: John Hayward, 56 Congratulations to Rod and Daniel

James Pritchard from the Victorian A hole in one! WA Masters Blind Cricket Association as well Congratulations to Gary Sargent For the first time, the WA Masters was as Aaron Wharton and Waddington BGNSW member and a Director of BSA staged over 2 days and played as a Mwayenga from Cricket Victoria and who recently achieved every golfer’s stableford event on Oct 13/14 at Collier the many wonderful volunteers for a dream of a hole in one! Gary‘s feat was Park with 10 players from WA, Victoria very well organised and run event! And achieved whilst playing with his wife and NSW. This event is played for the thanks to our camera women Kerry Eileen at The Ridge Golf Club Sydney in Ron Anderson trophy-Ron was one of Nadine for taking lots of amazing a competition round on December 8. the founders of blind golf in Australia photos!! Using his hybrid, Gary “aced” the par 3 and is still a regular competitor. 157m 11th hole. This is Gary’s second

hole in one with the first achieved in a Full results social round at Kareela GC in Overall Winner: Deanna Minciullo WA, 2012. Gary joins an impressive list of Caddy Clarrie Minciullo, 80 points blind golfers and their caddies who had B1 Winner: David Blyth Vic, Caddy Gary a hole on one with the most recent McInnes, 46 points being Jeff Ellis BGV member at B2 Winner: Graham Coulton NSW, Southern GC. Caddy Sue Carpenter, 68 points B3 Winner: Doug Burrows WA, Caddy Thelma Burrows, 67 points Source: Blind Cricket Australia Facebook page

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WA Open 4. Stephen Mitchell, NSW B3, 78 The WA Open was played at Collier 5. Gary Sargent, NSW B2, 72.5 Goalball Australia Park on October 15/16 with 14 6. Doug Burrows, WA B3, 68.5 competitors. 7. Jeff Ellis, Vic B3, 83 The latter half of 2015 has seen our 8. Jenny McCallum, WA B2, 50 Aussie Goalball players diving around Full results 9. Doug Sloan, Vic B1, 48 the country and Asia. Overall Winner: Stephen Mitchell NSW, 10. Glenn Niciejewski, NSW B1, 48 Caddy Chris Roberts WA, 78 points Hangzhou, south of Shanghai in China, Runner Up: Deanna Minciullo WA, Inaugural Queensland Open played host to the Australian Youth Caddy Clarrie Minciullo, 75 points on a In an effort to expand the game of blind countback golf, the BGA Board has decided to Girls’ and Boys’ teams in June and the B1 Winner: David Blyth Vic, Caddy Gary stage the inaugural Queensland Blind Men and Women’s teams in McInnes, 73 points and Vision Impaired Golf Open at November. The quaint, lakeside city B1 Runner Up: Doug Sloan Vic, Caddy Virginia Golf Course, Brisbane on July proved to offer some fierce Jo Delaney, 37 points 17/20 2016. Planning is still taking competition for all teams. The youth B2 Winner: Alan Rusland WA, Caddy place and BGA are working closely with teams were invited for a training camp James O’Hanlon, 71 points other blind sporting associations in Qld followed up by a competition between B2 Runner Up: Jenny McCallum WA, and with Golf Qld to ensure the success Caddy Ian McCallum, 69 points of this event. Initial interest is excellent Australia, China and some local B3 Winner: Doug Burrows WA, Caddy with about 20 members advising that provincial teams. Despite the Chinese Thelma Burrows, 75 points they intend participating. It is proposed having a home advantage, our girls B3 Runner Up: John Hayward NSW, to include a “come and try” afternoon snatched the gold. For most of the Caddies Gerry Brown/Len Pettit WA, 61 at Virginia Golf Course on Sunday July youth players, this was their first points 17 to introduce blind golf to blind and international experience and VisAbility Seniors Trophy: John White vision impaired persons in Qld. WA, Caddy Ross Thompson, 64 points definitely gave them a taste for 2016 ISPS HANDA World Blind Golf international Goalball. Championships This event will be staged in Japan in It was then the Men and Women’s November 2016. Australia has been teams next as they were vying for awarded 8 places by the International Paralympic qualification at the Asia Blind Golf Association (IBGA). 2 of Pacific Goalball Championships. The these places will go to defending world champions in Jenny McCallum WA and newly formed Men’s team gave the Malcolm Elliott WA and 1 to Graham Asian teams some tough competition Coulton NSW as a member of the IBGA but unfortunately did not progress to 2014/15 Order of Merit (OOM) Board. The remaining 5 places will be the final rounds. The Women’s team BGA has an Order of Merit which is run determined by the finishing places in made the semi-final where they met over a two year period with the final the BGA 2014/16 Order of Merit. IBGA the Japanese Women. After a tough placings being used to determine our at this stage have restricted entrants to loss, they returned the next day to entrants in the biennial ISPS HANDA those with handicaps at or under their World Blind Golf Championships Order sight classification maximums and who claim the bronze medal. Australia’s, of Merit points are awarded for the have played a minimum 7 qualifying Meica Horsburgh was the highest goal Australian Open, the Australian rounds in 2014/15. Members have scorer in the Women’s division. The Stableford, NSW WA and Vic Opens been asked for expressions of interest Women’s team are now waiting on and from 2016 the Qld Open. David in attending with the final nominations other international results to confirm Blyth Vic who is a B1 was the 2014/15 to be submitted in January 2016. their qualification for the Rio 2016 OOM winner following some great results in these major events Geoff Walsh Paralympic Games. .Congratulations David! Blind Golf Australia

The Top 10 placegetters in the BGA 2014/15 were as follows: 1. David Blyth, Vic B1, 94 2. Graham Coulton, NSW B2, 83.5 3. Rod Mills, NSW B3, 82.5

PAGE 9 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015

When it comes to the Australian With such a massive year now behind Details of competition and Goalball Championships, any us, keep your ears tuned for an even accommodation are available on the mateship amongst the Aussie teams is bigger year in 2016! BVIT web page. Entry forms will be forgotten. New South Wales and Jenny Blow, Goalball Australia available for download from the Western Australia had the largest middle of January, with entries closing contingents and it showed as they Blind & Vision on Friday 19th February 2016. racked up the medals. WA took home the gold in the Junior and Men’s Impaired Tenpin The Coast to Coast Phantom League categories, while NSW took home the Bowling enters its fifth year, kicking off in gold in the Youth category. Yet again, February 2016. Bowlers submit scores the Women division saw a State of BVIT activities in 2016 from their first two games each week Origin final between New South Wales The 8th Australian Blind and Vision for the 20 weeks of the League with and Queensland, and like the footy, Impaired Tenpin Bowling the scores and results posted weekly the Maroons dominated. Championships will be held at the on the BVIT web page. Aspley tenpin bowl, Brisbane from Just when Goalball Australia thought Monday 14th March to Thursday 17th The Phantom league is a great way to they were done for the year, our March 2016. keep in touch with Player’s progress school-aged Goalball players flew to from around the country despite the Adelaide for the Pacific School Games. This will be a Tenpin Bowling Australia tyranny of distance and has seen some The games, run by School Sport accredited event following IBSA and very close results since its inception in Australia, saw Goalball contested for TBA playing conditions and is open to 2011. the first time. Goalball was one of nine BVIT and TBA members who have a sports and the games drew over 4000 current eye acuity assessment of B1, Glen Barwick, BVIT participants. A little unexpected, but B2 or B3. completely deserving, South Australia dominated the competition. In the The competition commences at 9 a.m. Other News finals, Western Australia showed that each day. Bowlers will compete in this competition was a marathon. singles, doubles, trios and teams of They began to work seamlessly as a Victorian B-League four in scratch and handicap events, team and perfected their game A partnership between Football bowling 20 games across the 4 days. strategy to win gold. The battered Federation Victoria and Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria. South Australian’s took home the Total pinfalls are also entered into an silver and bronze went to New South All Events category with trophies Wales. Not only were these games a The Victorian B-League took place in awarded to the winners in each Melbourne’s Docklands from first for the players, but also the category. coaches. Members of the Australian September to December 2015. This

Women’s Squad, Jenny Blow, Raissa league was the first adult blind Medals and trophies will be awarded football competition in Victoria, and Martin and Tash Cugley, swapped the at the Presentation dinner to be held eyeshades for the coaching clipboard Australia. at the Kedron Wavell Services club, as they led their respective states. Chernside on Thursday 17th March. There were two divisions of the Victorian B league. The first was the Accommodation packages are Vision Impaired League which available at the Chernside Apartments comprised of four teams, Doncaster which is quite close to the bowl and Rovers Soccer Club (SC), FC adjacent to the Chernside shopping Williamstown, Preston Lions Football complex and Kedron Wavell Services Club (FC) and All Stars FC (a Blind

club. Sports and Recreation Victoria team). These teams included B1, B2 and B3 players, with sighted volunteers also PAGE 10 BLIND SPORTS AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER | December 2015 taking part during the season. The competition. Runners up and winners the following partners/supporters of other was the B1 Championship, medals were presented by Adam the Victorian B- League: which was played to IBSA Centafonti from Melbourne City City of Melbourne; YMCA @ The Hub; (International Blind Sports Federation) Football Club and Nicholas Tsiaras, Preston Lions Football Club; FC rules, with all players wearing an eye Football Federation Victoria Director. Williamstown; Doncaster Rover mask. This competition was open to Soccer Club; Blind Sports and people who are blind or vision In the lead up to the B1 Championship Recreation Victoria; Football impaired, and sighted people. match a short skill session took place Federation Victoria; Melbourne City where Nicholas and Adam took part in Football Club; Asian Cup Local This first season was a fantastic an awareness session to learn some of Organising Committee; World Sports success, with those participating the skills of the game. Some silky skills Group; South Melbourne Football showing great sportsmanship and were on display and both were keen to Club; Vichealth; Joma. willingness to learn the game and have get a bit of game time so they jumped Written by David Connolly, Co- fun. on for a few minutes at the start of the founder, Social Goal (Blind Football B1 Championship Final. Project Coordinator) On Sunday 6 December 2015 the finals of the Victorian B-League took place. The final event of the day, the B1 The first game of the day was the third Championship Final, was a Upcoming place play off, which was taken out by culmination of over 3 months of Doncaster Rovers SC, defeating All training and games in the B1 format, Events Stars FC 6-2. which was new and challenging for all players. The game showcased plenty December 2015 Next up was the final of the Vision of individual skill and great team work. Impaired League between FC Social Goal took out the final 1-0 28th December to 7th January Williamstown and Preston Lions FC. against Blind Sports and Recreation 34th Blind Cricket Australia These two teams played some great Victoria. Nationals, Melbourne football during the season with each game a classic, highly competitive and In closing, a special mention must go evenly matched contest. The grand to our fantastic team of volunteers January 2016 final took it up a notch with both sides who have helped out with a variety of eager to lift the inaugural trophy. FC roles during the competition: from 4th to 9th January Williamstown came out winners 3-1 initially building the court’s barriers Brisbane International Tennis on the day. and setting them up each week to Championships, Sporting Wheelies & jumping on a team as a player or as an Disabled Association ‘Both teams displayed the essence of attacking guide. We would also like to football, playing with heart, passion thank Rich Fairbrother, a Football 22nd to 31st January and for each other...magic.’ said FC Federation Victoria accredited Blind Cricket Australia ‘Ashes Series’, Williamstown Coach and Social Goal referee, who officiated both divisions. Melbourne Co-founder Tom Bevan. We look forward to continuing to work ‘It was a relief and joy when the final with Football Federation Victoria, March 2016 whistle blew.’ said Tom. Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria and Blind Sports Australia to grow the 14th to 17th March At the completion of the Vision game in Victoria, and Australia. The 2016 Blind and Vision Impaired Impaired Final, all players were Tenpin Bowlers (BVIT) National presented with participation medals Set this time of the year in your Championships, Aspley Tenpin Bowl by Maurice Gleeson, President of Blind calendar for blind football in Victoria. Brisbane Sports and Recreation Victoria, a reward for their commitment to the The project team would like to thank

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Blind Sports Australia Board Members

Mr David Blyth AO Mr Gary Sargent Mr Sam Theodore Director, Chair Director Director

Ms Karen Ryan Ms Voula Karantzas Mr Garry Humphries Director Director Director

Ms Melissa Martin Mrs Eileen Sargent Mr Stephen Barnes Director Company Secretary CEO

Blind Sports Australia Member Organisations

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