BLIND SPORTS & RECREATION VICTORIA

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2017

As the financial year is drawing to a close, Executive Members of Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria would like to thank and acknowledge our many sponsors, donors and supporters both corporate and government for their ongoing support in developing and maintaining many of our sporting and recreational activities.

Without the support of our many volunteers, sponsors and donors we would not be able to achieve our mission of providing sporting and recreational activities for people who are blind and vision impaired.

Every dollar we receive is essential and utilised to benefit our programs. Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria prides itself on its’ credibility and always endeavour to meet the demands of our members and the people of Victoria who are blind and vision impaired.

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria celebrate our sound financial management whilst at the same time continue to review the increasing demand for our services and programs for people who are blind and vision impaired.

Your continued support to Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria by both volunteering and financial commitment enables us to continue in our pursuits to ensure people who are blind and vision impaired can participate in many and varied sporting and recreational activities.

Maurice Gleeson, OAMPresident, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria454 Glenferrie Road Kooyong 3144Telephone: (03) 9822 8876www.blindsports.org.auEmail: info@blindsports.org.au

Registered CharityDeductible Gift Recipient

Table of Contents

Let the Games Begin!................1Thank You......................................................1

...................................................1

Ballet Program...........................1

Education Awareness Week.......1Taylors Lakes Primary School.......................1Malvern Central School..................................1

Circuit Program..........................1

Tennis.........................................1

Swimming & Aquatics.................1

Cycling is possible for blind and low vision people - Captains and Tandem Bikes available.............1

Walking and running for fun and fitness.........................................1

Soccer........................................1CITY SENSES – Melbourne B1 Blind Football Club................................................................1

Volunteers Need to Sell Raffle Tickets........................................1

Blind Bowls Victoria....................1

Swinburne University.................1

Back to Broady...........................1

Health & Wellbeing.....................1Walking in Winter.......................1

Sponsorship...............................1

Facebook...................................1

Let the Games Begin!5 blind and vision impaired athletes have recently returned home from Alicante Spain having competed in the 1st international blind tennis tournament.

Photo below: Blind & vision impaired tennis players head to the tournament in Spain

Thanks to the generosity of many individual and organisations such as Tennis Australia, Tennis Victoria, UFS Pharmacies, Primary Club and Vision Australia, the Australian tennis players made history as the first Australian team to compete oversees.

Playing against athletes from 14 countries, the team took on well-established nations such as Japan, where the game originated.

Classification of all participants was held prior to commencement of the tournament by an international classifier, Gaetan Li, to ensure everyone was playing in the right categories. The sight classifications are B1, B2 and B3. B1 players have no vision or no functional vision. B2 and B3 players have a small amount of useful sight within a reduced field of vision.

Raised tactile lines were used as navigational markers to assist the athletes to recognise their position on the court. The balls used are audible and emit a sound when played. Players use their heightened sense of hearing and develop their spatial awareness to track and hit the audible tennis balls.

The excitement for all players participating at this event was evident by the laughter, comraderie and enthusiasm to be part of the 1st International Blind Tennis Tournament.

Participants and volunteers were thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this wonderful event. “What an amazing trip – what a tournament, what an experience! A big thank you to our coaching team and the volunteer guides who came to the tournament to assist us” said blind tennis player Genamarie.

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Photo below: Tennis players & volunteers

Although Australia didn’t win the overall B1, B2 or B3 category, the experience and skills learnt by players was invaluable.

Congratulations to Adam for making it through to the Men’s B3 semi-final against Poland. Photo below: Coach Samir with Australian tennis player Adam and opponent from Poland

The champions of each category were:B1 Male – Hirofumi Ono (Japan)B1 Female – Aya Uchida (Japan)B2 Male – Ximo Garcia (Spain)B2 Female – Chizuko Hara (Japan)B3 Male – Chris Baily (Great Britain)B3 Female – Charlotte Schwagmeir (Germany)

A number of consolation games were held, with Sandra Knight winning the B3 Women’s consolation game against Poland and Michael Fogarty winning the B3 Men’s consolation game again Poland.

Photo below: Sandra with Polish opponent

Photo below: Michael with Polish opponent

On the last day of the tournament, guess who won the “Best Fairplay Award”? You guessed it…… Australia. To be awarded this trophy as the ‘Australian Team’ was an honour for everyone on the team.

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Photo below: Australia Team receiving their trophy

Once again, thank you to everyone for making the dream become a reality to participate in the 1st International Blind Tennis Tournament in Spain.

Thank YouAs a small token of our thanks for the generosity given by all our supporters for 1st

International Blind Tennis Tournament, an invitation was extended to a ‘thank you’ event for our sponsors and major supporters.

It was held at the National Tennis Centre prior to the blind tennis program and we had many people attend.

BSRV Vice President Caroline van de Pol was the MC for the event and thanked everyone for their support and ongoing commitment to the blind tennis.

Photo below: BSRV

Vice President

Caroline van de Pol

addressing audience

Photo below: (L) Belinda Kleverlaan & (R) Danielle Lowerson from Tennis

Victoria with blind tennis team members Chris, Adam, Sandra, Michael &

Genamarie

Ballet

ProgramBSRV are taking expressions of interest for anyone interested in participating in an adult program.

The program will take place in the city on a Friday morning at 11am.

If you would like further information about the ballet program please call 9822 8876 or email info@blindsports.org.au

Education Awareness WeekTaylors Lakes Primary School

Volunteers of BSRV, Chris and Prince went to Taylors Lakes Primary School earlier this

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year to talk with students about their vision loss. Below is an extract written by the students in year 3.

Today, during sport we met two amazing people call Prince and Chris who were blind. Prince could see things that were close up but had trouble seeing things that were far away. He was born like this and sometimes his eyes would shake randomly.

When Chris was 12 his eyes started to go foggy. He can see a heavy cloud around his pupil and everything looks very, very foggy. Maryanne also came along to help Chris and Prince. She could see properly

and they all worked together for Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria.

Chris plays blind tennis and is going to Spain to compete in the championship. When we played blind tennis we were blindfolded and we had to try and hit the ball without looking. There was a bell in the ball and you could hear it shaking in the ball. We worked in groups of three. One person threw the ball underarm and the blindfolded person tried to hit the ball and the last person was the ball stopper. It was really hard because you could not see and even if you heard the bells it was hard to know where the ball actually was. About half of the children in the class hit the ball.

In soccer, there was a person who had to roll the ball to the person with the blindfold on. Someone else told the blindfolded person if they needed to go a little bit to the left or a bit to the right. You had to make your feet join into a V shape so that you

could catch the ball. This ball also had a bell in it that went tick, a tick, a tick, a tick….

The hardest part was to try and get the ball in the V between your feet. Some of us thought we might fall over and some of us even ran in the wrong direction, away from the ball. A few of us fell over too. At other times the ball snuck through our leg.

It was exciting to learn that blind people can play soccer, tennis, basketball, football and lots of other sports. It was scary and amazing to learn to play blind sports.

We all felt a bit sorry and sad that Prince and Chris were blind but very proud to find out what they could do”.

Malvern Central SchoolAs part of Education Week, BSRV volunteers Chris and Amanda spoke to students at Malvern Central School about the various activities that Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria provide.

As Chris had recently attended the 1st International Blind Tennis Tournamentin Spain, the children were excited to learn more about this event. With many great questions from the students, it was great to have this opportunity to raise awareness.

Thank you Malvern Central School for inviting us to participate in Education Week and for having such inquisitive and wonderful students!

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Photo below: Chris & Amanda answering questions from students

Circuit

ProgramCommencing on July 6, Hawthorn Aquatics Centre in conjunction with BSRV will be holding classes in Boxing, Tai Chi and Yoga/Pilates in 4 week blocks.

If this is something that interests you, why not come down and give it a go!

Where: Hawthorn Aquatic Centre1 Grace St, Hawthorn(near Glenferrie Railway Station)

When: Commences Thursday, July 6

Cost: $5.20 per session (concession)

For further information or to register your interest, please contact Sandra at sandra@blindsports.org.au or telephone 9822 8876.

TennisAdult Blind Tennis is well underway for 2017 with 21 participants and volunteers attending.

People with varying levels of vision impairment participate in the program, rotating through different tennis exercises with the support of volunteers. Various types of balls are used, including audible tennis balls and various size and colour balls.

Until the development of the program, people with total blindness had no access to any kind of tennis activity. Now, people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages are participating.

After the success of the Junior Tennis pilot in term 1 for blind and vision impaired children aged 5 to 15, we are in the planning phase of another program across terms 3 and 4. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates. For more information contact us or click here: http://blindsports.org.au/sports-2/tennis/

Swimming & AquaticsBSRV offer multiple swimming and aquatic programs for those who wish to gain confidence in the water, learn to swim or just have some fun.

Every Monday morning a welcoming and friendly group of blind and vision impaired adults participate in water aerobics, gym work or fitness boxing at the Oasis Centre in Dandenong.

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Children can learn to swim in a safe and nurturing environment on Sundays at the Ruyton Girls School in Kew.

North Lodge Swimming Academy in Dandenong provides swimming lessons for blind and vision impaired adults and children every Saturday.

For more information contact us or click here: http://blindsports.org.au/sports-2/aquaticsandswimming/

Cycling is possible for blind and low vision people - Captains and Tandem Bikes availableAre you blind or vision impaired and do you enjoy exercising through bike riding? If so, we are ready to take you cycling on a tandem bike.

We are a group of people with Tandem Bicycles and authorised by Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria to offer tandem bike riding, including touring the sights, sounds and smells of not only Melbourne and suburbs, but also regional Victoria. We have the skills and equipment to provide a friendly and safe cycling experience to anyone wanting to ride on a tandem bike.Along the way there will be rest stops, coffee/tea stops and stops at other interesting places.

If you would like to participate in our tandem bike riding group, please contact Andrew Evans on email - andrewrichardevans@hotmail.com or mobile phone - 0417 575 061 or Richard Cole on email - ricandlinda@internode.on.net or mobile phone 0427 072 493 orPeter Labinski on email - peter.labinski@sro.vic.gov.au or mobile phone 0407 808 137

Walking and running for fun and fitnessSupported by BSRV, Achilles Melbourne is your local all abilities social running and walking club. Whether you are blind or vision impaired or you wish to run or walk beside someone who is blind or vision impaired this club is for you. Members meet every Sunday at The Tan running track and on Saturdays at some parkrun clubs across Melbourne and Geelong. If you love dogs, there are also opportunities available to mind the guide dogs whilst their owners are on the running track.

Achilles also help their walkers and runners with guides and registration into Melbourne’s iconic fun runs such as Run Melbourne (July) and Melbourne Marathon (October). If you’d love to participate in a fun run in Melbourne or a regional area (they love coast treks) as a blind or vision impaired participant OR a guide they’d love to meet you.

Can't run fast but reckon you're a fast thinker? Achilles will be holding a trivia

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night on the 5th of August in the evening. Please save the date! In the meantime, they are on the lookout for any donations for prizes to give away on the night. Please get in contact with Amir at amirquest.00@gmail.com or Brooke at brooke.carter.r@gmail.com if you're able to help out! For more information contact achillesmelbourne@gmail.com.

SoccerBlind Soccer, or Blind Football, is an internationally recognised sport played at the Paralympics. It is played outdoors by vision impaired athletes on a 42m x 22m pitch with side kickboards. There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper.

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria is proud to run a league for blind football with the support of Football Federation Victoria and Social Goal, kicking off again from April until July.

NEW in 2017 is the Junior Soccer Program. Throughout May, June and July, blind and vision impaired children have the opportunity to learn new soccer skills, participate in some games and make some new friends. We have great attendance in 2017 and hope to run this again in 2018.

It is not too late to join into the junior or adult program. We’d love to see you.

For more information click here: http://blindsports.org.au/sports-2/blind-soccer/

CITY SENSES – Melbourne B1 Blind Football ClubThe City Senses community program has just been launched here in Melbourne. City Senses is Melbourne City Football Club’s blind football program, a partner of Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria.

It provides opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired to play B1 blindfootball, the blindfolded version of blind football that is played at the Paralympics. It also aims to raise the profile and increase the awareness of the sport in Victoria through workshops for schools, blind sport and football organisations.

The City Senses training sessions will commence in August, you can check out all of the details on the upcoming season on the Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria website and facebook page. Participants of the program will also coordinate the One City Disability Awareness program at secondary schools in Melbourne, a program using blind football as a tool to engage students about disability, and blind football.

Volunteers Need to Sell Raffle TicketsBSRV are working in conjunction with Scouts Australia to sell raffle tickets.

BSRV will receive 75% of the proceeds of the books sold.  The books each have 10 tickets and cost $2 per ticket.

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The prizes are:-1st prize - Kia Sportage car2nd prize - IGA gift cards valued at $3,0003rd prize - Logitech Gaming pack valued at $1347Plus 100 more prizes

If you are able to buy some tickets or sell some books on behalf of BSRV please contact the office on 9822 8876 or email info@blindsports.org.au

Blind Bowls VictoriaBy Maree Fenech

The team from Blind Bowls Victoria competed in the 2017 National Championships in Coolangatta  from 22nd to 30th May inclusive.

The team did very well once again with medal winners as follows:

GOLD:Ralph Simpson – B2 Men's singles, B2 Men's pairs with Ivan Shortis from Wangaratta, B2 mixed pairs with Lisa Condy from Swan Hill

SILVER:Lisa Condy, Ladies SinglesLisa Condy and Mary Price Ladies PairsMike Donnelly B4 Men's SinglesMike Donnelly and Peter Campion B4 Men's Pairs BRONZE:Len O’Brien and Fred Pomeray (NSW) Open Pairs competition.Greg Kennedy won the new bowler’s encouragement award.

Ralph Simpson won the trophy for best overall bowler.

Swinburne University Students undertaking the event management diploma at Swinburne University have been busy organising awareness and fundraising opportunities for BSRV.

Last week at the Hawthorn campus they were hard at work with a sausage sizzle and great coffee.

Nets were set up for those keen to try blind soccer - many discovered it's not easy to find the goals wearing a blindfold.

Our thanks to the students for raising awareness

Photo below: Ruby, course coordinator S-J, BSRV volunteer and Zach

THE MANY WAYS OF SEEINGBy Nick Gleeson with Peter Bishop‘In desperation, I look up into mum’s face. A small face – a loving face –

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And the lights go out. Her face is the last image I will ever see in my lifetime.’

Blind since the age of seven, Nick Gleeson has spent his life learning to ‘see’ without seeing.

Growing up in the working-class Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows, Nick’s young lifewas defined by touch and smell: learning the shape of each shoe so he knew left from right. Holding the huge, rough hand of his father. Smelling the well-worn vinyl in the family car.

Many years later, when Nick meets Peter Bishop in the lounge room of Varuna, the Writers’ House, he has led an amazing life of physical adventuring. A Paralympic athlete and captain of a blind cricket team, Nick has scaled base camp at Everest, climbed the summit of Kilimanjaro, and has just returned from an expedition to the Simpson Desert.

In a unique blend of memoir and conversation – and with many insights into the writing process – Peter and Nick find compelling ways to explore a life journey with more than its share of challenges, loves, losses, and laughter.

The Many Ways of Seeing is an inspiring true story of determination in the face of hardship, the vital importance of trust and friendship and all that can happen when writing is revealed to be the most surprising adventure of all.

The Many Ways of Seeing is available now

from all good bookstores and online at Booktopia and Book Depository.

Published by Peter Bishop Books, an imprint of Ventura Press, in June 2017. RRP $29.99.Find out more or purchase your copy at venturapress.com.au.

Back to BroadyBy Caroline van de Pol

Life in McIvor Street, Broadmeadows was unpredictable. Cally Egan grew up expecting and experiencing the best and worst of her 1960s Australian working-class community.

So chaotic were the days and nights in her big Irish Catholic family that she often planned her escape. Perched on the cold terracotta roof of her Housing Commission home and smoking a crushed cigarette from the bottom of her mother’s handbag, she would peer into the windows of the low-flying planes making their way to Melbourne’s new Tullamarine Airport, and hear her father’s voice and dream. ‘I’ll take you on one to Ireland one day’, he promised her, often as a reward for helping when her mother was so unwell that she took to her bed, or disappeared to hospital for shock treatment.

Back to Broady tells the compelling story of a young girl’s fight through disadvantage, and the lifelong friendships that have helped her walk the fine line between survival and surrender.

Incredibly moving and painfully honest, this exceptional memoir marries Angela’s

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Ashes and Cloudstreet to paint a hilarious yet often harrowing portrait of one family, and their determination to survive.

Back to Broad will be published on 1 JULY 2017.Find out more at venturapress.com.auPeter Bishop Books is an imprint of Ventura Press2 Macdonald St, Paddington NSW 2021 | 02 8060 9191 | info@venturapress.com.au

Health & WellbeingBy Suzanne Bunker

Walking in WinterWinter has certainly arrived in Melbourne but this should not be an excuse to stop exercising.

Here are some tips to enjoy walking during winter.

1. Wear layers. You will start off cold but once you get the heart rate up you will warm up quickly, so wear a light weight coat that won’t be heavy to tie around your waist once you warm up.

2. Wear a beanie. We lose heat through our head so wear a beanie to keep your body warm while walking.

3. Move your early morning walk to mid-morning when the air isn’t quite as fresh

4. Ask a friend to join you for winter walks. Having company will distract you from the cold and ensure that you don’t use cold weather as an excuse not to go out.

5. Save your shower till after your walk. After walking out in the crisp cool air a hot shower is very comforting!

6. Buy some new shoes for walking. Your current shoes may have a small hole in them or be a bit thin on the sole. With the frosty mornings you will soon discover this when walking across the

damp grass, so if you are in need of new walking shoes, now is a good time to buy them.

Most of all enjoy the change in the seasons and fresh air and be motivated by the fact

that walking in winter will have you fit for summer.

Suzanne BunkerBunker’s FITness Personal TrainingPhone 0416180961Email s.bunkers@bigpond.com

SponsorshipBlind Sports & Recreation Victoria invites interested individuals and companies to contact us about sponsorship in this newsletter, a quarterly publication distributed widely including all threelevels of government and various departments including Department of Sport& Recreation, VicHealth and Department of Education.

The newsletter is well circulated through the Australian Sports Commission, a number of generic sporting organisations, numerous corporate partners – both small and large, and other disability sporting groups as well as the Victorian Institute of Sport and to members of the general public.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity for sponsorship, pleasecontact Susan on 9822 8876 oremail info@blindsports.org.au

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Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible Inc. A2644V ABN 42 609 420 605Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria, 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong 3144

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