We have basketball, handball, volleyball, football and netball, but have you ever heard of goalball?
Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) Greystanes has! Two squads from OLQP recently competed against schools from across NSW, proving themselves opponents to be reckoned with.
OLQP Principal Michael Hopley explained that goalball was invented to provide a sport for people who are vision impaired and is now a Paralympic sport.
“The teams are a mix of children who are vision impaired and others who are not. All competitors wear goggles so they can not see. A ball which has a bell inside is used and the game is played on a volleyball court-sized arena. The aim of the game is to throw the ball and get it across the line while the opposing team tries to block it," Mr Hopley said.
OLQP’s goalball team coordinator Catherine Fenech said the school started with one team last year and the NSW Goalball for Schools Knockout Competition at Sydney Olympic Park.
“It was a sport the students wanted to continue playing, so this year we entered two teams into the same competition - a Year 4 OLQP Lightning team and a Year 5 OLQP Lightning team. Mr Hopley has been awesome with his support, allowing us to design our own goalball jerseys," Mrs Fenech said.
The Year 4 team gained a silver medal in the knockout competition. Then on November 29, at the NSW Goalball for Schools State Championships, they played right into the quarterfinals.
“Our Year 4 students, Daniel, Aidan, Carmichael, John, Kirsty and Mitchellinc, were incredible to watch and were supported by their families, Mr Hopley, Assistant Principal Natalie Mifsud and teachers," Mrs Fenech said.
“We are immensely proud of their achievement and encourage others to take part in this inclusive and fun sport!”
