Sports

VISACT works with many organisations to provide sporting outlets for people who are blind or vision impaired. Contact VISACT to find out more.

Detailed below are our current active sports. New sports are being added all the time. If your sport is not listed, contact VISACT today.

Our Active Sports

Tenpin Bowling

People who are blind or vision impaired typically play tenpin bowling in the same way as fully sighted people. The equipment used is identical and no adjustments are made to the alley or pins.

Some players who are totally blind have the aid of a guide to set them up on the approach, while other totally blind bowlers use a guide rail. A guide rail is much like a banister than is placed on the approach to the lane to assist a totally blind bowler with his or her approach.

Tenpin bowling is a popular sport amongst people who are blind or vision impaired and World Championships are conducted every four years.

Every year the best bowlers from across Australia come together to take part in a National tournament.

In the ACT the main form of competition is a weekly tournament but many blind and vision impaired bowlers also take part in a number of events open to sighted players. This philosophy aids in furthering the goals and vision of VISACT by ensuring sport played is inclusive and those participating are not isolated or stopped from taking part as a result of barriers or their eyesight.

When All year round. Tuesday night league, Sundays coaching and practice
Where Belconnen Tenpin Bowling Centre
Contact Steve Grigor
Homepage Tenpin Bowling

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Cricket

The modern form of blind cricket is very similar to the traditional one-day game. The main difference is the ball, which is made of plastic and emits a sound. All bowling is performed underarm and the ball must bounce at least twice. Each game goes for 40 per innings and teams are made up of eleven players. There are varying categories of eyesight in each team, with some players being totally blind and others with varying levels of sight.

Blind cricket is played in a number of countries and the World Cup is contested every fours years. Every two years sides from around Australia come together to take part in the National Championships.

Typically the ACT team plays against sighted opposition in keeping with the VISACT philosophy of integration and working to remove barriers and isolating influences of having limited vision.

When Summer, mostly on Sundays
Where Ovals in the ACT
Contact Mark Haskett
Homepage Cricket

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Tennis

Tennis is a fantastic game for people who are vision impaired. It is played on a traditional court with traditional racquets, however the ball and many of the rules have been adapted to ensure people with limited vision enjoy a fair and competitive game.

Firstly, the ball. The ball used is a brightly coloured soft foam ball. This type of ball travels slower than a traditional tennis ball and is also very easy to see.

The ball is also allowed to bounce twice, only the first bounce must be inside the court. Also serving is allowed underarm and not only from the baseline, but also from the service line.

All other rules of tennis apply.

Tennis is still developing as a sport for people who are vision impaired. VISACT is working with Tenfit in the ACT to promote and develop the game further.

SWhen All year round
Where Tennis courts in the ACT
Contact Gail Aiken
Homepage Tennis. See Also TenFit's website.

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Goalball

Goalball is a game unique to people who are blind or vision impaired. There is no sighted sport to compare it to. It is played on an indoor court that is 18 metres long by 9 metres wide.

The object of the game is to score goals by throwing a heavy ball (1.25kg), which emits a sound, from your end into your opponent's goal. Each team is made up of three players who take turns to throw the ball from one end to the other. The ball must be thrown underarm.

Goalball is a very popular international sport and teams compete every four years at the Paralympic games. Every year Australian sides come together to contest the Australian Championships. In the ACT most games are social with players fine-tuning their game as they work towards national selection.

When Winter, mostly on Sundays
Where Indoor centres in the ACT
Contact Garvin Francis
Homepage Goalball

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Swish

Swish has only been played in Canberra a few times. VISACT is working to find a venue for the game to be played more often.

When Usually on the weekend.
Where Indoor centres in the ACT
Contact Sharon Soby
Homepage Swish

Golf

Golf is one of the worlds most popular games. Golf can be played by anyone as golfers who are blind or vision impaired have shown for many years.

The form of the game played by blind and Vision impaired golfers is almost identical to that played around the world. Players use the same equipment, use a similar handicapping system, play on the same courses and follow all the intricate rules of the game. One major rule changes is that golfers who are blind or vision impaired are allowed to ground their club in a sand trap.

Golfers also use their caddie in a number of different ways. Caddie who assist golfers who are blind or vision impaired assist with distances, aim, club selection and very importantly with lining up on greens.

Golfers across the world come together for an international tournament every two years. Each year, in Perth, Australian golfers take part in the Australian Open.

In the ACT golfers play on a variety of courses as well as weekend competitions. VISACT is committed to full participation and integration and encourages all golfers to take part in events at their local course.

When All year round
Where Golf courses in the ACT
Contact Len Hogg
Homepage Golf

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