Goalball
Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for blind athletes, originally devised in 1946 as a means of assisting the rehabilitation of visually impaired World War II veterans. Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball that has bells embedded in it into the opponents' goal. Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both defense and offence. Players must use the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball. Games consist of two 12-minute halves. Eyeshades allow partially sighted players to compete on an equal footing with blind players. Eyepatches may be worn under eyeshades to ensure complete coverage of the eye, and prevent any vision should the eyeshades become dislodged.
Goalball gradually evolved into a competitive game during the 1950s and 1960s, and was eventually nominated as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto.
Our Goalball Programs
Mens Goalball
Who: ages 15 & up, who can follow directions and function fairly independently
When: 2016-2017 practice schedule TBD
Where: Overbrook School for the Blind Gym
What: No experience needed. Open for recreational or competitive interests.
Womens Goalball
Who: ages 15 & up, who can follow directions and function fairly independently
When: 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month
September - May, 1:00-4:00pm.
What: No experience needed. Open for recreational or competitive interests.
Youth Goalball
Who: ages 10-14 co-ed
When: 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month October - May, 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Overbrook School for the Blind Gym
What: Instruction in the basics of Goalball and practice as a team. Our goal is to help create a Mid-Atlantic Youth Goalball League, with teams in many areas.
