Vision Australia is set to give children who are blind or have low vision from across Sydney the opportunity to try out one of the few sports designed specifically for people with vision loss.
The leading blindness and low vision service provider has teamed up with NSW Goalball for a special goalball come and try day in the coming school holidays.
Open to school-aged children, the day will give participants the opportunity to take part in the fast-paced sport under the guidance of goalball experts and Vision Australia staff.
“Along with the physical benefits of being active, sport is also an important part of helping children with their social skills and other development goals,” Vision Australia Paediatric Counsellor Meredith Whittington said.
“Unfortunately for children who are blind or have low vision, there can be challenges to participating in sport, so it’s always great when we can give them the opportunity to experience something like this,” Ms Whittington said.
A Paralympic sport, goalball is played by two teams of three people who aim to roll a ball past each other to score. All players wear blackout goggles to ensure vision levels are equal and the ball contains a bell to help players detect it.
Goaball NSW will facilitate Goalball games and provide all necessary equipment on the day.
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“It’s a great opportunity for our child clients to try out something they may not otherwise get the chance to do and it might be something some of them want to continue with,” Ms Whittington said.
“It’s also a great opportunity for the children and their families to connect with others who have a similar lived experiences, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide the chance for people to form support networks.”
While the day is aimed primarily at children with vision loss, Ms Whittington said there is also the opportunity for siblings and friends who are sighted to participate on the day.
The Goalball Come and Try Day will be held at the Australian College of Physical Education, located at 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday, October 11 from 10:30am – 1pm.
To RSVP or if you have any questions, contact Meredith Whittington on 8525 9007, or email at [email protected] by Monday 1st October 2018.