Football Victoria (FV) is pleased to announce today, on World Sight Day, that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australian Blind Football (ABF).
Listen to an audio version of this release below, recorded by player Brendan Spencer:
The MoU with ABF augments FV’s FootbALLways strategy, committed to providing football for all, anywhere, anytime. FV will provide support to ABF to deliver more programs - both directly and through Clubs - for all ages, genders, abilities and vision loss, including assistance with facilities, events and awareness.
An initiative of Blind Sports Australia, ABF is working with Football Federation Australia (FFA) to be the recognised national pathway by for people who are blind or vision impaired to play football for Australia.
There are two versions of the game of blind football. Blind football (B1 or 5 a side football) is played by athletes who are totally blind. Vision impaired futsal (partially sighted futsal) is played by athletes who are vision impaired.
FV Interim CEO, Kimon Taliadoros, celebrated today’s announcement.
“FootbALLways is about uniting, inspiring and enabling Victorians of all backgrounds to live and love football, for life. We’re committed to making the game more accessible to all members of our community, including blind and partially sighted Victorians, by supporting organisations like ABF,” Taliadoros said.
“The power of football reaches far beyond the health benefits of staying active. We know our game brings people together, building communities and connections. We look forward to working together with ABF, enabling greater access to the world game and all its benefits for blind and partially sighted Victorians.”
Dave Connolly, National Coordinator - Blind Football at ABF, believes the strengthened relationship with FV has the power to connect more blind or partially sighted Victorians with their communities.
“We are thrilled to be making this announcement on World Sight Day, an important awareness day for the blind and vision impaired community”, he said.
“Blind and partially sighted football is growing across the globe and this partnership with Football Victoria is a significant step for blind and partially sighted football in Australia. It’s a commitment for football in Victoria to be truly inclusive of people who are blind or partially sighted of all ages, genders and abilities.”
“Our goal is to ensure more Australians who are blind or partially sighted have access to physical activity and a connection with their communities, particularly during a year where the need for social connection has been heightened. Therefore, we are excited to be working with the team at Football Victoria, and the broader football community, to make this a reality.”
Learn more about ABF at https://ausblindfootball.com.au/