The Australian Goalball Championships is the most prestigious event on the Goalball Calendar. From October 4th – 7th 2018, Goalball Western Australia will host the 38th Australian Championships.

Victoria are proud to announce that in 2018, we will have representation in three divisions; Youth (19 and under), Open Aged Women and Open Aged Men. Congratulations to the following athletes and coaches who have been selected to represent Victoria.

Youth (19 and under)

Thanhtuoc Autran 15 (West Footscray), Thientuoc Autran 16 (West Footscray), Emma Jago (Altona), Aiden Quilty 17 (Bellbrae) Coach: Brooke Carter (Rosanna)

Open Aged Women

Brooke Carter 26 (Rosanna), Sinead Mooney 27 (South Melbourne), Clare Whelan 20 (Essendon), Teresa Whelan 22 (Essendon) Coach: Daniel Pritchard (Tecoma)

Open Aged Men

Amir Abdi 29 (Hawthorn East), Sam Byrne 28 (Prahran), Michael Lescohier 27 (Canberra), Daniel Pritchard 23 (Tecoma) Coach: Colin Townsend (Altona)

Our teams have high hopes for claiming Gold in their respective divisions at this year’s competition. Men’s Players Sam Byrne and Daniel Pritchard returned home from the Goalball World Championships in Sweden last month after strong performances while former Youth teammates, Thientuoc Autran and Clare Whelan helped their side win Silver in front of a home crowd at last years Youth titles. Clare, now in the Women’s team is ready to help her fellow players make a name for themselves as she lines up on the court with Brooke Carter and Sinead Mooney who both have more than 15 years of national and international competitions under their belt. In Youth, the Autran duo reunite after their last performance saw them win Gold at the Junior Championships in 2016.

All squads are training hard and are eagerly waiting the trip to come.

Recently, The Victorian Goalball Association’s Vice President, Daniel Pritchard had the terrific opportunity to be interviewed by Talking Vision’s Stella Glorie on Vision Australia Radio. In the program, Stella and Daniel discussed Goalball in Victoria and the wider Australian community and his involvement in the Australian men’s team, Aussie Storm, as well as the exciting opportunity to represent Australia again at the IBSA Goalball World Championships.

You can listen to the interview here.

The Mens Aussie Storm and Women Aussie Belles Goalball teams were announced earlier today for the IBSA Goalball World Championships held on 3rd-9th of June this year in Sweden. The Victorian Goalball Association are proud to announce that two of our Victorian players Sam Byrne and Daniel Pritchard were selected as part of the Aussie Storm travelling to Sweden.

Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for people who are blind or vision impaired. Goalball is a team sport where two teams of three blindfolded players are placed in front of nine metre wide goals at each end of the court. Teams alternate throwing the ball with bells inside to attempt to score a goal while the defending team uses their ears, teamwork and tactile floor marking to attempt to stop their opponents scoring.

The IBSA Goalball World Championships occurs every four years and is one of the biggest events on the international goalball calendar and this year both open Mens and Womens teams qualified. Throughout the Championships 16 teams will compete for the title of world champions.

We congratulate Sam Byrne and Daniel Pritchard for being selected and wish them as well as both teams the best of luck in Sweden.

For more information please contact us at goalball.org.au/contact

Do you want to get fit and active in a friendly and social environment? Do you want to play a sport where you can bring along your family and friends and be on a level playing field?

Then Goalball could be the sport for you!

What Is Goalball?

Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for people who are blind or vision impaired. Goalball is a team sport where two teams of three blindfolded players are placed in front of nine metre wide goals at each end of the court. Teams alternate throwing the ball with bells inside to attempt to score a goal while the defending team uses their ears, teamwork and tactile floor marking to attempt to stop their opponents scoring.

Why Goalball?

Goalball is different in that it is not an adapted sport for the blind, it was created specifically for the blind and vision impaired. It is also unique in that as all participants are blindfolded you can bring along your family and friends whether they are fully sighted, vision impaired or totally blind.

Getting Involved

In Victoria we are weeks away from opening our Goalball Autumn season for 2018. We play every Saturday at Scotch College Junior Health Centre, accessible by public transport and we would like to invite you down to try out Goalball. Anyone can come and play or volunteer irrespective of sight levels or age as there are four divisions for children, teens, men and women. Goalball is a great sport to not only keep fit but is also a great opportunity to make friends and share experiences.

To find out more about goalball, contact us at goalball.org.au/contact, follow us on Facebook or register via our website www.goalball.org.au.

Do you want to get fit and active in a friendly and social environment? Do you want to play a sport where you can bring along your family and friends and be on a level playing field?

Then Goalball could be the sport for you!

Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for people who are blind or vision impaired. Goalball is a team sport with 2 teams of 3 blindfolded players with each team in front of goals which are 18 metres apart at each end of the court. Teams alternate throwing the ball with bells inside to attempt to score a goal while the defending team uses their ears, teamwork and tactile floor marking to attempt to stop their opponents scoring.

Anyone can come and play irrespective of sight levels as all players are blindfolded or age as there are four divisions for children, teens, men and women. Goalball is a great sport to not only keep fit but is also a great opportunity to make friends and share experiences.

In Victoria the Autumn Goalball Season is starting with a bang with two come and try days to introduce people to the wonderful sport of Goalball. Come to our come and try then stay and play days on the 24th of March and 7th of April where you will be taught the basics as well as play.

WHO: anyone can come and try irrespective of age, abilities or sight levels

WHEN: 24th of March and 7th of April 2018

WHERE: Scotch College Junior Gym, Entry 7, Corner of Callantina Road and Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

TRANSPORT: accessible by public transport being 10 minute walk from Kooyong Railway Station and the route 16 tram line stopping directly outside the venue

WHAT TO BRING: Runners, tracksuit pants, and a comfortable top, drink bottle, (change rooms available at the venue)

We play most Saturday’s during autumn and winter. For information on these dates or to RSVP to the come and try then stay and play day visit http://goalball.org.au/contact or for more information on Goalball in Victoria and other events visit: http://goalball.org.au and follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vic.goalball/