Goalball

GOALBALL

Trent Farebrother

Goalball is a fast-paced Paralympic sport developed uniquely for blind and visually impaired athletes. There are three positions on the court during play - a centre and two wingers - who are positioned in front of a goal measuring 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) in width. Players wear goggles that are blacked out to eliminate any light, allowing athletes with all degrees of visual acuity to play equally.

Players rely on their sense of hearing and touch to track the ball on the court (similar to volleyball) and contain bells. The object is to roll the ball past the defending team, who attempt to block the ball before it enters the goal. Competitive opportunities may include: Tournaments, Canadian Championships, World Championships, and Paralympic Games.

(The Rules of the Game)

ASRAB would be happy to arrange a Goalball demonstration for your school or association. Please call the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind office at (403)262-5332 or further information.

Click HERE to watch a video about Goalball on the Paralympic Sport TV Website!

Upcoming 2009 Competitions:

Canadian Western Goalball Championships, being held In Calgary, Alberta. Dates TBA.

2010 Canadian Blind Sports National Goalball Championships, being held in Calgary, Alberta: March 26-28, 2009.

2008-2009 Season Accomplishments:

January: Calgary hosted both the BC Men and BC Woman's teams for a training weekend. The weekend allowed Alberta to divide into 2 men’s teams and participate in a competitive game situation against the BC men; the woman had the opportunity to play many games against the BC women.
Calgary, Alberta hosted the 2009 Western Invitational Tournament, the Alberta Woman's team finished second in the weekend tournament. Two Alberta Men's teams were sent with Alberta 1 placing 3rd and Alberta 2 placing 2nd.
Alberta sent a Men's team and a Woman's team to the 2009 Canadian Blind Sports Nationals Goalball Championships in Vancouver, BC. The Alberta Men's Team finished of a strong season by winning every game they played and capturing the Gold medal! The Alberta Woman's team had a great tournament and ended up taking home 4th place!

Alberta Teams:
Women: Daryl Gunn, Kelley Hannett, Tanya Peterson, Tiana Knight, Megan Luscombe, Rima Kaddoura
Coaches: Carol Braul, Nektaria Mayder, Lauren Buckell

Men: Scott Heron, Kevin Kaminski, Trent Farebrother, Dean Kozak, Aron Ghebreyohannes, Paul McKnight
Coaches: Darren Hamilton

Junior Goalball:

2006 Junior Teams

The year 2009 was an exciting one for all those involved in the Junior Goalball Program. The athletes worked hard with numerous practices in preparation for the Canadian Junior Goalball Championships, which were held in Kelowna, BC.

The Teams commitment and hard work really showed off when the Junior Woman's team claimed First Place at the Junior Nationals and the Junior Men claimed the Bronze Medal!

4 of our Alberta Junior Goalball Players were named to the Canadian Junior National Goalball Team who competed at the Youth World Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in July of 2009.

Alberta Men: Aron Ghebreyohannes ; Paul McKnight; Michael Smith Alberta Women: Karen Connors; Tiana Knight; Megan Luscombe

Coaches were Carol Braul, Nektaria Mayder, and Lauren Buckell for the Junior Woman and Darren Hamilton and Trent Farebrother for the Junior Men..

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