Page 23 - Boardwalk_Issue 3_2022

SPORT

weighs about 1.25kg and has a Nevertheless, South Africa won the which take place in March.
diameter of 25cm. The bells help to test series.
orientate the player in the direction Currently, the Western Cape is
of the oncoming ball. In the 1980s, the USA participated one of the most active provinces
in the South African national for goalball with seven clubs:
In addition to the three players championships and won gold. Athlone School for the Blind; Eerste
on each team, a maximum of River Goalball Club; Gugulethu
three players are allowed on the In 1986, a triangular series was United Goalball Club; Hein Wagner
bench as substitutes. A game is held between South Africa, Academy; Maties ParaSport; Pioneer
usually divided into two halves of Namibia and the USA. The USA School for the Visually Impaired;
12 minutes each. To ensure that won and South Africa came second. and Worcester Goalball Club.
players can hear everything that Apartheid meant South Africa was
is going on and properly absorb excluded from participating in FINANCES
the intensity of the atmosphere, any further international goalball As with most minority sports,
spectators must be silent during tournaments. funding is a problem – more so
for disabled athletes. Most of
play. After the country’s successful them only get a government
transition to democracy, it was disability grant and struggle to
HISTORY OF GOALBALL IN allowed to participate in the 1998 find employment due to prejudice.
SOUTH AFRICA World Championships in Madrid. Money is scarce, making transport
In South Africa, goalball is managed South Africa was represented by and sports equipment an expensive
by the South African Sports Johan Schroeder, Danie Coetzee, outlay.
Association for the Physically Leon van der Merwe and Lawrence
Disabled (SASAPD). Ratfin. We came fifth out of 16 Goalball players need protective
teams. gear to play. Costs for this can
The game was introduced to range from R100 for knee and
the country in 1977. In 1980, In 2000, the national team toured elbow pads to R1 300 for padded
South Africa undertook its first Great Britain and played against pants, shirts or eye shades. The ball
international tour to Great Britain, regional and club teams. itself costs about R1 500, excluding
but was excluded from the Our last international appearance shipping fees – and it can only be
Paralympics that year because of was in July 2007 at the African imported at the moment.
its apartheid policies. In 1981 a Championships. The tournament A FUN, STIMULATING SPORT
national team was selected, but was won by Algeria and South Goalball is a rewarding game that
their tour was cancelled. Instead, Africa came fourth. challenges mind and body. Players
players from six provinces took have to use their senses and have to
part in the national championships: In December 2018, IBSA and Maties be fit as this sport gives them a full-
Western Province (now Cape ParaSport (Stellenbosch University) body workout. It’s also lots of fun!
Metro), Boland (now Cape held a successful Goalball Clinic for
Winelands), Northern Transvaal the first time in Southern Africa. Why not sign up: organisers are
and South Transvaal (now also part Players, coaches and referees from always looking for volunteers and
of Gauteng), West Transvaal (now South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana people who want to get involved as
North West) and Free State. attended. It paved the way for the helpers and/or officials.
continent’s increased participation
In 1982, South Africa could not in international tournaments. For further information, contact the
participate in the World Games SASAPD at www.sasapd.org.za. Or,
as there were problems with Currently, goalball is played in eight contact Wentzel Barnard at Maties
processing the players’ visas. In of South Africa’s nine provinces. ParaSport by emailing him on
1984, the team toured Israel, which There is only one inter-provincial wwb2@sun.ac.za or calling him on
was a formidable force in goalball. tournament: at the national games, 083 278 5123.

2022 NATIONAL GAMES (MEDAL WINNERS)

MEDALS JUNIOR LADIES JUNIOR MEN SENIOR LADIES SENIOR MEN
BRONZE No bronze medal Limpopo Northern Cape Eastern Cape

SILVER Gauteng Gauteng Eastern Cape Western Cape

GOLD Free State Free State Free State Limpopo

21
Boardwalk Meander Estate Issue 3 · 2022