JUNE 2008                     VOL.3 No.2

BLIND SPORT

The Newsletter of Blind Sports Victoria

Phone:  (03) 9822 8876                                                     Website: blindsports.org.au

Editor: Dave Byars (03) 9725 4202                         Email: bsport@bigpond.net.au 

 

IRENE SUPREME AT NATIONALS

 

Irene McColl had a wonderful tournament at the 29th Australian Blind Bowls Association National Championships at Mooroolbark Bowls Club recently. With her husband Bob directing her, Irene a B2 competitor competed in three events. She won 2 GOLD and a SILVER medal. These efforts saw Irene awarded with the trophy for the Best Female Performance at the nine day event.

Irene McColl with director.husband Bob

 

Irene started her campaign with a Silver medal win in the B2 Ladies Singles. She only lost one match of eight in the round robin format. She was beaten by a narrow margin on shots up. Ironically, Irene beat the Gold medallist 18 to 11 when they met in the second round.

 

Irene paired with Brenda Murray of FPaynesville in the B2 Ladies Pairs. They won GOLD on a countback which eased the pain of Irene’s singles result.

 

Over the nine days of competition, Irene played nine rounds of the B2 Mixed Pairs with Dave Byars as her partner. On the last day, they captured GOLD when they defeated the Queensland combination who had both won Gold in their singles events. Against the odds, Irene and Dave had a convincing 19 to 6 victory. It was a wonderful way to finish the 2008 Titles.

 

Over nine days in sometimes inclement weather, Irene contested 20 matches against the best in Australia and won 17 of them. It was no surprise at the Presentation Dinner that Irene was handed the Best Female Performer of the Championships. Congratulations Irene and Bob.

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

Sport is the ideal means to promote the integration of disabled people in general and the blind in particular. Sport can help the blind and vision impaired overcome their disability by strengthening their self-esteem and their ability to overcome difficulties. Sport is an aid to building confidence in their living environment. In short, sport helps bring about the fulfilment of blind and vision impaired people’s lives.

 

We encourage all blind and vision impaired people to get involved in different sports and recreational activities. You too, can become a blind athlete and take part in competitions ranging from social sports to elite level championships for the Blind. This can be at local club level, State and National championships and ultimately International Elite Level in many sports affiliated with Blind Sports Victoria.

 

BLIND SPORTS VICTORIA ROLE IS

    To promote and foster sports for the blind and vision impaired,
    either directly or indirectly, across the state.

To maintain close cooperation with all organisations that work in
  the blind and vision impaired sector.

·         To structure and regulate sports for the blind and vision impaired.

·         To promote the holding of meetings and seminars to achieve these  
 goals.

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

Blind Sports Victoria Executive Committee would like to thank all those who helped to celebrate the milestone in our history by supporting the 30th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner held in March at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. 

 

On this special occasion, it gave us the opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the fantastic work that many people have contributed to Blind Sports Victoria, in its’ endeavour to make a positive difference for people who are blind or vision impaired in pursuing their sporting or recreational pursuits.  Whilst we have made tremendous progress, we still have many challenges and barriers that we need to address, such as affordable and accessible transport options, accessible information, the on-going development of the education program, the on-going junior development program and to ensure that we can promote and market our organisation.  These are just some of the key areas that we collectively need to continue to address.

 

As always, Blind Sports Victoria Executive Committee would like to thank and acknowledge all those people who assist us in working towards achieving our mission.

 

30th ANNIVERSAY DINNER:

 

On March 11th, Blind Sports Victoria celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a

dinner at Kooyong Tennis Centre. The event was patronised by a large

gathering of blind and vision impaired athletes, volunteers and

supporters.

 

Darren Goldspink, the re5ired VFL/AFL umpire was the guest speaker. He

was well received by an attentive audience.

 

In his down-to-earth address, Darren told of his drive to achieve,

sometimes against adversity.  In his early years on the umpiring panel, he

would travel widely and spend long hours on the road to officiate at

country matches.

 

When his chance came for the big league, he experienced a difficult

situation with Dermot Brereton, and found himself back on the country

roster. 

 

Determination and dedication over the ensuing period saw him get a

second chance which he grabbed with all his heart and never looked back.

He umpired 371 premiership games and appeared at six Grand Finals.

Darren called it quits before the 2008 season at the age of 43 years. He

was regarded as the best of his era.

 

A lesson to us all, that we have to accept the setbacks in pursuit of our

dreams.

Darren Goldspink with Maurice Gleeson OAM

 

Darren answered many questions from the crowd and was given rousing

applause from a most enlightened audience.

 

The Award of Appreciation recipients were: David Blyth, Jeffrey Ellis, Rosalyn Bates, Peter Learmonth, Sally Leighton, Rob Crestani, Berneice Stevenson, Peter Stevenson, Jennifer King, Hazel Hockley, Kaye Speed, Ian Chapman, Margaret Snyder, Doug Sloan, and Ian Walsh
The Certificate of Appreciation recipients were: Ray Lord, Vision Australia, and Maurice Gleeson


William van de Pol, James Perkins, Michael Guy, and Nick Harrison entertained the crowd at the Anniversary Dinner

 

GOALBALL;

 

What is Goalball?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I thought I would let you know something about Goalball for those  people who have never heard of it, or would like to play.

 

Goalball is a three-on-three competition sport played on a gym floor primarily by blind and vision impaired athletes. Games are usually quite competitive and exciting to watch. Two teams play on either end of the 18x9 metre court.  Players are blindfolded with a blackened out ski mask to make the game fair.

 

The object is to throw a 1.25kg ball past the opposing team. But, now you're probably asking yourself, "how do the players hear the ball if they're blind?"  The ball has bells in it that allow the players to listen for it.  When they hear the ball coming towards their end of the court, they dive, usually head-first, towards it hoping that it'll hit their body and stop. If all three players miss the ball and it goes past the back line, it is considered a goal. The team with the most goals wins the game. There are usually several games in a typical tournament. The players use string taped to the floor to orientate them selves as to where they are on the court.

The winter season will start on the 5th July 2008, at the Junior Gym at Scotch College (enter via Boarding School Precinct – entry 7).   For more details please contact me either by phone or email.

 

Hope to see you there.

 

Robyn Stephens

Victorian Goalball Association

Mobile: 0417 159106

Email: robyn.stephens@vu.edu.au

 

 

IRENE INSPIRES

 

 

 

Name: *Irene McColl

 

Nickname: “I”

Residence: Frankston

Place of birth: Cessnock, NSW

Marital status: Husband Bob, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 17 grandchildren

Employment: retired shop assistant
Zodiac sign:  Sagittarius
Eye condition: retinal colour cone
Bowls club: Chelsea Bowls Club
Years in bowling: 11 years with Blind Bowls

Representative bowling: Victoria 1997-2008

Highlights: 2 Gold and a SILVER to win Best Female Performance at 2008 National Championships

Favourite Quote: “Stealing off the blind” when hubby Bob pockets money   

                                I drop!

Favourite food: Chinese
Favourite drink: A cold beer
Favourite music: Elvis, 50s rock n roll

 Favourite Author: Bryce Courtney

Favourite TV show: Temptation

Favourite movie: :Gone with the Wind”

Worst habit: Laughing when Bob thinks it’s serious

Best characteristic: Understanding of people

Travels:  United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Canada, Hound, 2 years round  Australia
Hobbies:  Knitting, swimming

Ambition: “To win more Gold”

 

*Irene was raised in Cessnock, the daughter of a coal miner. She schooled in Greta and later commenced work at  Coles in Maitland.

 

In 1958, Irene met Bob, (who was in the Army), on the beach and they were married 11 months later. On his discharge the couple moved to Melbourne to be close to Bob’s parents. Their first child came along in 1960, which led to Irene becoming a homemaker raising her four children.

 

In the mid 1980s, Irene was diagnosed with her eye condition and told there was no treatment and to enjoy her sight while she still had it.

 

Bob and Irene brought forward plans to travel around Australia with caravan in tow. It was while staying at a caravan park in Canarvon WA that Irene had her first go at lawn bowls. It only took three weeks before Irene won her first social bowls event in the town!

 

This fostered a love for the sport and when Bob and Irene returned to Melbourne Irene joined Blind Bowls and has been actively involved since.

 

Bob served as a cook in the Merchant Navy and still indulges his passion for food, by doing all the cooking at home. Irene maintains the home attending to other roles.

 

Irene keeps fit swimming regularly and going to Pilate’s sessions. She was delighted to be invited to the National Squad Training Camp in November.  This will be her first involvement with the National Team and is much anticipated.

 

Blind Sports Victoria  hopes Irene realises her dream of more National Titles. If her recent performances are any indication, there are many in store. We wish her all the best in  her pursuit.

 

 

NATIONAL TEAM HONOURS:

 

Two Victorian bowlers have been selected to represent Australia at the World Titles next April at the  Glenroy Bowls Club.

 

Maree Fenech a B1 bowler and Tony Scott (B3) have been named to proudly wear the green and gold. Blind Sport wishes them a great preparation and a wonderful experience at the top level.

 

 

 

SAILING:

David Staley: david.staley@optusnet.com.au

The IFDS 2009 Blind Sailing World Championships will be held in Rotorua, New Zealand from 13-21 March next year. This is the Integrated Fleet Racing format where crews are made up of two blind / vision impaired sailors (helmsperson & mainsail trimmer) and two sighted sailors. There are divisions for B1, B2 and B3 classified helms. A total of 25-30 crews from about 10 countries are expected to compete in Rotorua.

To ensure Australia has competitive teams entered in the Worlds, there will be a training regatta held on the weekend of October 17-19 at the Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club. Some sailors will come with their own teams of four, while others will be assisted to make up a crew at the event.

In addition to this and the various other competitive forms of the sport, people who are blind or vision impaired can also get involved in recreational sailing through the network of 17 Sailability programs scattered around Victoria. For more information, visit one of the websites below.  Anyone interested in participating at any level should contact Sailability Victoria Secretary, David Staley, via email (david.staley@optusnet.com.au ) or call 0428 514 058.

Blind Sailing Worlds 2009 - www.2009worldblindsailingnz.com
Blind Sailing Australia - www.blindsailingaustralia.org
Sailability Victoria Website: www.sailability.org/au/vic

David Staley
Secretary - Sailability Victoria
Mobile: 0428 514 058 (Intnl: +61 4 2851 4058)
Email: david.staley@optusnet.com.au
Website: www.sailability.org/au

 

RVIB SKIING CLUB

The RVIB Ski Club exists to provide an opportunity for vision impaired people to experience the thrill of both downhill and cross country skiing.  The club maintains a lodge in the Baw Baw alpine village a top Mt Baw Baw.  Members and guests are invited to enjoy the Victorian alpine region all year round.

Bookings now open to all for the 2008 Ski Season, Check the availability and get your booking organised now!  Additionally new prices are applicable for all non members for the 2008 season.

Visit our website at www.rvibski.com.au

 

FRIENDS FOR FITNESS:


Blind Sports Victoria has identified that attending an Aquatic & Fitness Centre is not always easy for people who are vision impaired or blind.  There are a range of barriers to participation including access to information, transport, physical access and a lack of appropriate recreation programs.

 

In trying to meet the needs of blind and vision impaired people, Blind Sports Victoria has secured funding from VicHealth to commence a project called Friends For Fitness.  To further explore the barriers mentioned above, we are looking for vision impaired or blind people to volunteer approximately an hour of their time to this project.

 

If you would like further information or wish to volunteer please 
contact Blind Sports Victoria on 9822 8876 or email fff@aapt.net.au

 

TANDEM CYCLING:

Nick Jones reporting

 

 

Five tandems and two single bikes rode from Kooyong to St Kilda in early May. The route took us along the Yarra river, through the pedestrian areas of Southbank, past the Casino and then along the bike path beside the light rail to Port Melbourne. We finished with a leisurely ride along the waterfront. We had a great lunch on the St Kilda foreshore and then retraced our steps to Kooyong.

 

Our volunteer front riders were fantastic. Two of them brought their own bikes which considerably reduced our logistical issues. Robert rode the route with his new GPS Trekker and was able to point out local landmarks before his sighted front rider saw them.

 

On approximately September 10th we'll have a come n try tandem ride at Kooyong and then in November we'll do an overnight ride from Lilydale to Warburton.

 

Contact Di Hayward 9760 0006 or Nick Jones 8770 6800 for details about upcoming rides.

 

Aqua Aerobics

COME AND TRY DAY

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Vision Australia and Moonee Valley City Council’s Access for All Abilities program would like to start a new Aqua Aerobics program for people with a disability.

The program will welcome people of all abilities and ages and is the ideal exercise program for anyone wanting to have fun and keep fit. It is particularly good for people with health problems or those recovering from injury.

Monday 23 June, 2008

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Cnr Epsom Rd and Langs Rd, Ascot Vale

Registration: 1pm-1.30pm

Aqua Aerobics Class: 1.30pm-2.30pm

Cost is FREE

Coffee and Cake will be provided at the conclusion of the program from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

If you require assistance, please bring you’re support worker along to program.

If you need transport, please contact Renee Costa on 9243 8808

To book your place at the come and try day, please return the attached registration form to:

Renee Costa

PO Box 126, Moonee Ponds, 3039

 

 

LAWN BOWLS:

 

Len O’Brien: obriele@iprimus.com.au

 

29th ABBA CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

2008 will go down as a wonderful year of achievement for Victorian Blind Bowls. Every team member collected at least one medal at the 29th Australian Blind Bowls Championships held at Mooroolbark Bowls Club from April 29 to May 8. In all Victoria won 4 GOLD, 4 SILVER and a BRONZE medal.

 

Irene McColl, (as reported on Page 1), showed that commitment reaps rewards. Last year Irene vowed to turn around her disappointing form and did she do that! Winning GOLD in the B2 Ladies Pairs with Brenda Murray, GOLD in the B2 Mixed Pairs with Dave Byars and SILVER in the B2 Ladies Singles. In recognition of her wonderful bowling, Irene was awarded the trophy for the Best Individual Female Performance.

 

B2 Mixed Pairs winners Daye Byars & IreneMcColl with directors Brian Birthisel and Bob McColl

 

Tony Scott dominated B3 Men’s category with GOLD in the Singles, GOLD with Alma Fagan in the Mixed Pairs and SILVER with Len O’Brien in the Men’s Pairs.

 

Tony Scott of Swan Hill wins B3 Singles with his son David as director.

 

Dave Byars capped his GOLD with Irene McColl in the B2 Mixed Pairs with SILVER in the B2 Men’s Pairs with debut representative Mike Donnelly of Mooroopna.

 

Maree Fenech teamed with Barry Brown of Queensland to win SILVER in the B1 Open Pairs.

 

In the words of Team Manager, Berneice Stevenson, the most satisfying medal win was Bev East winning BRONZE teamed with Alma Fagan in the B3 Ladies Pairs. Bev was attending the Championships to assist with selling raffle tickets each day. At short notice, Bev was asked to fill in for Mary Price who was forced to retire from the tournament after winning her first game of the Championships. Bev had to send for her bowls and did an admirable job to be rewarded with some great results and a medal win. This ensured all team members won a medal.

 

 

After a much improved overall performance, Victoria has climbed to second on the National standings.

 

2008 LE MANS TOYOTA SHIELD

 

QUEENSLAND                   160

VICTORIA                           132

NEW SOUTH WALES         107

WESTERN AUSTRALIA       86

SOUTH AUSTRALIA            62

NORTHERN TERRITORY    16

 

FRIDAY’S DELUGE:

 

The resilience of bowlers was put to test on the afternoon of Friday May 2nd. The after lunch session was interrupted by hail and lightning which eventually flooded the greens.

 

Amazingly only 76 minutes of play was lost, with lost time rescheduled the next week. All games were finished although some were completed close on dark.

Well done to the organising committee!

 

 

Visit website www.mooroolbarkbowls.org.au for a full rap of results and many more photos

 

 

 

CRICKET:

The Victorian Blind Cricket Association is about to commence the re-surfacing of both pitches. The payment for this project has been made to allow us to claim the cost back from the Primary Club.

 

It is planned that we hold a match against the Primary Club of Victoria for the perpetual Blind Ducks Cup in early to mid September as being the provider of funding for this project; it is felt it would be fitting to have them play the first match on the new surface.

 

Readers will be informed once a date for this match is scheduled and agreed to.

 

The VBCA is also in the process of obtaining quotes and designs for shade and seating on the terrace overlooking Ground One. With support from the Burwood Blind Cricket Club, and money from the now non existent Richmond Blind Cricket Club, it is intended to make this a permanent memorial to the late Paul Carlson by naming this area the Paul Carlson Memorial Hill. Placement of a commemorative plaque on the fence, (or a prominent position), is proposed.

 

Designs and costing for this project are currently being obtained as there is a strong likelihood that approval from both Stonnington Council and Vision Australia will be required for this project to proceed.

 

We are also seeking possible grants for funding this project from outside, however, this will not stop the project from proceeding.

 

It was planned to conduct a Games Night at the end of June, however, interest has not met with our expectations. Members will be notified whether or not this function will in fact go ahead.

 

Our next executive meeting will be held on Saturday June 14th 2008 at the Charlie Bradley Pavilion.

 

It is with regret that I pass on notice of the resignation of Ty Atkinson, our 5th executive member due to personal reasons. I take this opportunity to thank Ty, and his wife Janine, for the work and time they have committed over the past two years. Special mention for their work in the lead up to, and during the National Championships, the production of artwork and logos for our merchandise and much more.

 

The efforts and energy Ty has put into his role over the past two years will be missed and we thank him for his hard work.

 

The July meeting of the VBCA. is one which allows for nominations for the three executive positions up for re-election this year. Nominations for President, Treasurer and 5th executive member to be called for from the floor, thus, all members are invited.

 

This meeting will be held on Saturday July 12th 2008 at 10.30am at the Charlie Bradley Pavilion.

 

Please consider who you would like to nominate for these positions.  Although it is not a mandatory requirement of the constitution, please exercise respect and approach anybody you are considering nominating to ensure they would be prepared to stand for election and hopefully serve a two year term in office.

 

The AGM will be held on Saturday August 9th from 11.00am at the Charlie Bradley Pavilion, at which time, voting for the three vacant positions will be conducted.

 

These dates fit in with our constitutional requirement to allow 28 days for postal nominations, and then postal voting prior to the AGM.

 

 

Finally, I would like to invite members to contact me if they have any ideas which might assist us to conduct successful functions and activities both prior to and during the season.

 

We as a board have attempted several activities over the past year which have been less than successful. In spite of plenty of prior notice and advertising, no one contacted us to say they would not attend these functions.

 

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

 

Alf O’Neill

President VBCA

 

 

 

Tenpin Bowling

For

People who are blind or have Low Vision

The Program will run for four weeks

 

At

 

AMF Boronia

125 Boronia Road

Boronia 3155

Commencing Monday 16th June

At 10am 

 

Cost $10.50 which includes two games.