Page 19 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 2_2023

Sport
Travel

apartheid policies. In 1981 a national It paved the way for the continent’s
team was selected, but their tour was increased participation in international
cancelled. Instead, players from six tournaments.
provinces took part in the national
championships: Western Province Currently, goalball is played in eight of
(now Cape Metro), Boland (now Cape South Africa’s nine provinces. There is
Winelands), Northern Transvaal and only one inter-provincial tournament:
South Transvaal (now also part of at the national games, which take place
Gauteng), West Transvaal (now North in March.
West) and Free State.
Currently, the Western Cape is one of
In 1982, South Africa could not the most active provinces for goalball
participate in the World Games as there with seven clubs: Athlone School for
were problems with processing the the Blind; Eerste River Goalball Club;
players’ visas. In 1984, the team toured Gugulethu United Goalball Club; Hein
Israel, which was a formidable force in Wagner Academy; Maties ParaSport;
goalball. Nevertheless, South Africa won Pioneer School for the Visually
the test series. Impaired; and Worcester Goalball Club.

In the 1980s, the USA participated FINANCES
in the South African national As with most minority sports, funding
championships and won gold. is a problem – more so for disabled
In 1986, a triangular series was held athletes. Most of them only get a
between South Africa, Namibia and the government disability grant and
USA. The USA won and South Africa struggle to find employment due to
prejudice. Money is scarce, making
GOALBALL Africa was excluded from participating expensive outlay.
came second. Apartheid meant South
transport and sports equipment an
in any further international goalball
tournaments.
Goalball players need protective gear to
play. Costs for this can range from R100
After the country’s successful
transition to democracy, it was allowed
padded pants, shirts or eye shades. The
to participate in the 1998 World for knee and elbow pads to R1 300 for
Championships in Madrid. South Africa ball itself costs about R1 500, excluding
was represented by Johan Schroeder, shipping fees – and it can only be
Danie Coetzee, Leon van der Merwe imported at the moment.
and Lawrence Ratfin. We came fifth out
of 12 minutes each. To ensure that of 16 teams. A FUN, STIMULATING SPORT
players can hear everything that is going Goalball is a rewarding game that
on and properly absorb the intensity In 2000, the national team toured Great challenges mind and body. Players have
of the atmosphere, spectators must be Britain and played against regional and to use their senses and have to be fit
silent during play. club teams. as this sport gives them a full-body
workout. It’s also lots of fun!
Our last international appearance
HISTORY OF GOALBALL IN
SOUTH AFRICA was in July 2007 at the African Why not sign up: organisers are always
In South Africa, goalball is managed by Championships. The tournament was looking for volunteers and people who
the South African Sports Association for won by Algeria and South Africa came want to get involved as helpers and/or
the Physically Disabled (SASAPD). fourth. officials.
In December 2018, IBSA and Maties For further information, contact
The game was introduced to the ParaSport (Stellenbosch University) the SASAPD at www.sasapd.org.
country in 1977. In 1980, South Africa held a successful Goalball Clinic for the za. Or, contact Wentzel Barnard at
undertook its first international tour to first time in Southern Africa. Players, Maties ParaSport by emailing him on
Great Britain, but was excluded from coaches and referees from South wwb2@sun.ac.za or calling him on
the Paralympics that year because of its Africa, Nigeria and Ghana attended. 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

8 DPL issue 11 2022
6 DPL issue 10 2022
16 DPL issue 2 2023
8 DPL issue 5 2022 DPL issue 2 2023 17