You’ve heard of basketball, netball and even dodgeball, but have you heard of goalball?
Played on a basketball court by blind or visually impaired players, goalball involves rolling a 1.25kg ball into an opponent’s net and the South Australian team, the Aussie Belles, are taking their game to the world cup next month.
The 8-player team will travel to Espoo, Finland for the Goalball Clubs World Cup from May 22 to 26.
Australian Belles playerCaitlin Hannen-Williams has played goalball for eight years, and travelled to Brazil for the youth world championships in 2023.
“I was very excited [when I found out I made the team], it was the first time I have been selected for the Australian women’s team,” Miss Hannen-Williams said.
She said the tournament is beneficial for developing teams, allowing countries to network and make connections.
According to Blind Sports Australia, goalball matches run for about 50 minutes and each player wears blackout goggles to ensure equal playing conditions.
Tactile markings on the court allow players to orientate themselves and spectators must stay quiet, so players can hear the ball.
There are many benefits to playing goalball, including improving mental health and fostering friendships, Miss Hannen-Williams said.
“It’s an environment where I feel fully included and accepted in, especially since I’ve grown up with these people that I play goalball with, and we know each other really well.”
Goalball remains the only sport specifically designed for blind athletes, originally invented in 1946 to aid in the rehabilitation of vision impaired World War II veterans, according to Paralympics Australia.
“At the Paralympic Games, the ball has been measured leaving a player’s hand in excess of 60 kilometres per hour,” Paralympics Australia said.
The Aussie Belles will face off against Sweden on 22nd May at Honkahalli sports complex.
