Australian Blind Football will host a session for its ABF4ALL Coaching Certificate on Sunday 28 March, from 10am to 1pm.
Taking place at Albert Park Synthetic Football Field, the certificate is for coaches, volunteers and parents who want to know more about providing football opportunities for people who are blind or partially sighted.
The session will aim to empower aspiring blind football coaches, volunteers and parents by allowing them to gain a greater understanding of blind football and partially sighted futsal. Attendees will learn the skills to be able to deliver a positive coaching experience for people of all ages and levels of vision loss.
The workshop will run for 2 hours, followed by a ‘Come and Play’ session where attendees can practice coaching techniques they have learnt with participants of all ages and levels of vision loss.
The session will be led by David Connolly and facilitated by Australian Blind Football volunteers and national team members.
Supporting people who live with vision impairment is a part of Football Victoria’s (FV) commitment promoting accessibility for people of all abilities.
Karen Pearce, Executive Manager Growth and Inclusion at FV, said the workshop is essential for equipping coaches, volunteers and parents with the skills to contribute to vision impaired football.
“We want the Victorian football community to know that football can be modified to suit all abilities,” she said.
“Football is not a traditional 11-a-side game and we want to develop more volunteers and coaches to support players playing in a modified version of the sport . We want to continue nurturing an inclusive environment for all to play the game.”
The current 'B1' format for blind football is played as a modified 5-a-side version of the game. The upcoming 2021 Tokyo Paralympics feature B1 football, in which players wear eyeshades, except for the goalkeeper who may be sighted. A rattling ball is used to assist players and boards are located at the perimeteres of the pitch.
Who should attend this workshop?
Coaches and volunteers interested in supporting regular sessions at South Melbourne FC, and coaches interested in building their knowledge of blind football and partially sighted futsal.
Date: Sunday, 28 March 2021
Address: Albert Park Synthetic Football Field (synthetic pitch 7/8, near the corner of Aughtie Drive and Ross Gregory Drive)
Time: 10am – 1pm
Register Here