Greetings,
If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter please
send a blank email to sports@blindsport.org.nz
SUBJECT: subscribe to newsletter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLIND SPORT NEW ZEALAND
SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT

February 2003
Issue 1

Welcome to this first edition of Spotlight on Sport. This publication is designed to provide a regular update of what is going on within Blind Sport New Zealand. If there is anything you would like to see added to this newsletter please contact Blind Sport and let us know. You will find all our contact information at the end of this newsletter.

LOCAL GROUPS
Blind Sport supports a number of group sports for the blind and vision impaired in New Zealand. These sports include cricket, fishing, goalball, golf, hockey, indoor bowls, lawn bowls and sailing. If you would like information on these sports then please contact Blind Sport.

Many of these sports have opportunities for competition at a local, national or international level or if you just love the game or sport then you will also find a place among friends.

SPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS
Blind Sport also supports sports for the individuals out there who would like to participate in the likes of athletics, swimming, judo, power lifting and many others besides. If you would like to find out more information please contact Blind Sport.

Once again you can compete locally or if you would like to take up the challenge there are many international events and opportunities waiting for you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OUR WEBSITE
If you have access to the Internet why not take a look at our Website at www.blindsport.org.nz this site is packed full of interesting information, photos and contact information for all the sports we support.

A new updated web site will soon reside on our new ISP with more features available to us.

OUR SPORTSLINE
By using the Foundation of the Blind's Telephone Information Service Blind Sport has provided a place where you can listen to what blind sports people are up to and also have your say on our interactive service. If you would like to check it out please take option 5 2 from the main menu. If you would like to know about the Telephone Information Service then please contact the Foundation of the Blind directly on 0800 24 33 33.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WORKING WITH THE FOUNDATION TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SPORT
One of the biggest problems facing Blind Sport at the moment is spreading the word about sports to potential members. Therefore Blind Sport is regularly meeting with the Foundation for the Blind to find ways of spreading the word about sports.

THE FOUNDATION's RECREATION SERVICE
The Foundation of the Blind provides a recreation Service to assist Foundation members become more involved with recreation. This often involves local groups and activities and can help people with fitness advice and rehabilitation where necessary. If you would like to find out where your local Recreation Officer is based please phone the Foundation of the Blind toll free on 0800 24 33 33.

WORKING WITH SPORT OPPORTUNITY OFFICERS
Recently representatives of Blind Sport met with a group of Auckland based Sport Opportunity Officers. The purpose of this meeting was to encourage these people to promote the opportunities available to blind sports people. This was a constructive meeting and will help to strengthen our links with community based organizations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REVIEW OF THE BLIND SPORT CONSTITUTION
Blind Sport is currently reviewing its constitution and has requested feedback from its members and member groups. This is an important process to ensure the organization can keep in step with change and still meet the needs of our members. If you would like to take part in this process we would welcome any submissions you may wish to make.

BLIND SPORT AWARDS
Blind Sport New Zealand is holding its annual Blind Sports Awards ceremony on 15 March 2003 in the Recreation Centre of Awhina House in Auckland at 3:00 p.m. This is a chance to recognize the achievements of our sports people, teams, volunteers, coaches and administrators.

If you would like to nominate someone for their achievements over the 2002 calendar year then please contact Blind Sport and request an information pack. If you would like to attend the awards ceremony please contact Blind Sport and let us know for catering purposes only as there is no door charge.

COUNCIL MEETING IN MARCH
On the same day as the Blind Sports awards ceremony the Blind Sport council will meet to discuss such items as the Constitution review and other related topics. The annual council meeting is an opportunity for member groups of Blind Sport to meet face to face and discuss strategies and plans for the future of blind Sport New Zealand.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL REPORT
Where does one start - there is so much activity. The big question for BSNZ (Blind Sport New Zealand) is to find sufficient suitable athletes with the 3D's (Desire, Determination, Dedication). In 2002 IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) held World Championships in several sports. IBSA Judo World Championships were held in Rome, Italy. IBSA Goalball World Championships were held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. IBSA Tenpin Bowling World Championships (the first) were staged in Helsinki, Finland. The IBSA Power lifting World Championships revealed themselves in Slovakia. Did you know that blind juniors also compete in power lifting as well as other sports?

This year the 2nd IBSA World Championships are being held in Quebec, Canada in athletics, swimming, judo, Goalball along with two additional sports of power lifting and tandem cycling. With the exception of power lifting, these World Championships are a qualifying event leading to the 2004 Paralympic Games. The strategy of BSNZ is to develop the next generation of athletes with the aim that some will aspire to compete at the highest level of blind sport.

In addition to these main events there are countless other events worldwide and even closer to home that provide opportunities for New Zealand Blind athletes.

There are many challenges before us, not the least one of attitudes. where people who don't really understand vision impairment make policies that seriously impact blind sportspeople. This is done without any consultation which places a major roadblock for us to overcome. IBSA itself is to the forefront of overcoming these restrictions. The worst is where there are moves that could lead to the elimination of some or all disability sports organisations. This is not the view of most of the international disability federations. In fact IBSA is working to increase the number of independent blind sports organizations worldwide. This is a key reason Blind Sport New Zealand became a full member of IBSA in 2001. New Zealand also holds the IBSA Oceania Continental Delegation representation. This means the views of Oceania (including New Zealand) are presented at the highest level of blind sport internationally, where a New Zealander now sits on the Executive Committee of IBSA.

Concerning the IBSA World Championships this year in Canada (August). We receive weekly updates on entries received by the organisers. This event is being organised by Sport International Quebec for IBSA. As of the 7th February 47 countries had indicated their intention to compete. Of the 1575 participants 948 are athletes, 408 support personnel and 169 staff. The initial planning had targeted 700 athletes. This number will rise to make this the biggest and best blind sporting event ever. Already five Oceania countries have indicated their interest in sending athletes. Of these three for the first time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOOTBALL
Who is interested in 5-a-side football or soccer as we know it in this part of the world?

If teams are formed we can obtain sponsorship for the footballs from the Brazilian Government who are supplying IBSA with 2000 balls free of charge.

TANDEM CYCLING
BSNZ has the services of a three-time New Zealand tandem champion to help us. Watch for more announcements in this exciting sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT - INDOOR BOWLS

BLIND INDOOR-BOWLS NEW ZEALAND
CELEBRATES Its 50TH JUBILEE!

Blind Indoor-Bowls New Zealand, (BINZ) or as many people will remember it as The New Zealand Blind and Vision Impaired Bowler's Federation, which was quite a mouth full, will be holding their 50th Jubilee over Labour Weekend this year.

Indoor bowls, for the blind was first played in 1953 on a national basis.
There were a few clubs that played indoor bowls for the blind before that date as well but it wasn't until 1953 that they decided to get together and have a tournament.

From that year, they gathered in a different city each year over Labour Weekend to the present day to hold their tournaments.

Blind indoor bowls is played on the same rules as the sighted play their game.
The only difference is that we have a guide to show us the green to play on and to give us and idea where the jack is by telling the player, in feet and inches how far it is from their end of the mat.

The bowling mat we play on is approximately, 22 feet long and 6 feet wide.
Most players kneel down on either one or both knees to deliver their bowl.
Some players who have trouble kneeling that way choose to stoop and play.

There 15 clubs all over New Zealand that are affiliated to our organization and at least 13 or 14 of those clubs make it to each tournament depending on where it is being held. Sometimes because the tournament might be held in for example Rotorua so, maybe the club from the deep South might not be able to make it because of funding availability. Most indoor bowling clubs play once or even twice a week for about 9 months of the year.

Some of those clubs go out from their centers and play against sighted clubs throughout the year to give them some extra practice in readiness for the Nationals. Some of these clubs are quite small because of where they are situated. Caimbridge for instance mixes in their sighted members with their players to make up the numbers on club nights but when they join us at the National tournament, then only members of the Foundation can play.

Our biggest club has at the moment over 40 blind and vision impaired members. So as you can see, indoor bowls for the blind is quite popular.

Over four days this Labour Weekend, we will all be joining together in Lower Hutt to have our Annual General Meeting on The Friday evening. Then we will be holding the Open Fours all day on the Saturday.

We will be having a special 50th Jubilee dinner on the Saturday night and then on the Sunday will be the Singles. We will finish the weekend by playing the Pairs on the Monday with a special prize giving after the pairs are completed.

The executive of BINZ is hoping to make this a very special occasion for our members and to give all our members who attend a weekend they can remember for a very long time.

A time hopefully, that they can all catch up with all their old friends and maybe even see some of their bowling friends who have been unable to make the tournament for a few years because of illness or just getting a bit too old to compete..

We hopefully will though, have our good friend, Mr Jack Shortt there to play in his 50thtournament. He hasn't missed one in all the time it has been held!

If you would like further information about Indoor bowls or details of your local club please phone Phyllis Fox on 09 827 4250.

John Manchester
President
Blind Indoor-Bowls New Zealand
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO CONTACT US

If you would like to get involved with Blind Sport or simply want to find out more information please contact us by any of the following methods:

Blind Sport New Zealand
Private Bag 99 802
Newmarket
Auckland
Phone: 09 275 1635
Email: sport@blindsport.org.nz

Web: www.blindsport.org.nz
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our thanks to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and SPARC for their ongoing support.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXTRA - EXTRA - EXTRA

The VISION IMPAIRED GAMES for students is being held at Massey University, Palmerston North, 13-16 February.

More details in the next SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------