Georgia Blind Sports
Our mission is to help visually impaired people all over Georgia discover their athletic potential,
Georgia Blind Sports Association is active promoting sports and recreational opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. Out team sports include goalball and beep baseball while our recreational activities include kayaking and tandem biking. We continue to explore other sports for the blind as we seek to get more people involved with our programs at both the youth and adult levels.
Happy 4th of July. We hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday!
Image of US Flag with writing underneath "4th of July, Happy Independence Day From Georgia Blind Sports Association"
Just 1 more month till USABA Goalball Nationals at Fort Wayne, Indiana. We hope everyone is training safely. Can't wait to see all the teams at the tournament.
Image: background goalball players blocking a ball. main writing "1 more month till USABA goalball nationals Fort Wayne, Indiana"
Start the new month with a fresh start! Set new goals for yourself and stay positive!
Image: Quote " A Beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset."
Glad to see all the teams and great sportsmanship while in Jersey. Just wanted to share these great photos from U.S. Association of Blind Athletes - USABA . Link attachment below.
Both the Atlanta men's and women's teams played hard on the court this weekend!
Photo 1- Atlanta woman's team with Hal Simpson
Photo 2- action shot, Atlanta men's team blocking the ball
Click the links below to watch Day 2 of the 2024 USABA National Goalball Qualifier Tournament live from Haddon Township New Jersey:
Here is the link to view gym 1:
https://www.youtube.com/live/dgQRh7pmiPA?si=YOYt8Rrp8z-VuOPN
Here is the link to view gym 3:
https://www.youtube.com/live/CQHlaMNczgY?si=PhkArTPNVAQVK4np
USABA is broadcasting the northeast goalball tournament. Link is below. Go Atlanta!
U.S. Association of Blind Athletes - YouTube Welcome to the official channel of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.
Canceled!
This weekends kayaking trip at Panola Mountain State Park has been canceled. We will reschedule for a future date.
Good Luck Atlanta Teams at this weekend's tournament in New Jersey. Hope all teams have safe travels and fun out on the court!
Image goalball with a trail of dust going into net. Words Good Luck Atlanta! Northeast Goalball Tournament N.J. Image was created with Canva
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
GBSA 2024 Kayaking Event
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 9:30-2:00
Where: Panola Mountain State Park
4965 Flat Bridge Rd, Stockbridge, Ga 30281
Job Duties: greeting/set-up, PFD fittings, paddling/boat orientation & kayak guides for those who have kayaking experience.
EXTRAS: all volunteers will learn kayak basics, water safety, rescue techniques and be forever changed by this amazing day!
Please RSVP, we need to know how many kayaks to bring!
CONTACT: Nancy Parkin-Bashizi, COMS, CVRT, Level 2 Kayaking instructor, Paddlesport safety facilitator
770-815-8768
[email protected]
Georgia Blind Sports Association will be hosting another kayaking event this coming Saturday, June 22nd at Panola Mountain State Park from 10am- 2pm. All are welcome to attend this event. Volunteers are also needed. If interested in participating or volunteering please call or txt Nancy at 770-815-8768.
Image of poster "Volunteers Needed! Calling all volunteers we need your help" blue background, with a group of hands raised.
On June 13th about 35 members and volunteers had an amazing day with the Living Life Team at Hard Labor Creek State Park! We enjoyed a fun-filled day of kayaking and training, thanks to the awesome help of Park Liaison Shawn Kelly and the dedicated program volunteers. VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons) learned about PFD basics, paddle techniques, and water safety. For many, it was their first time kayaking and they loved the confidence boost and new skills. Volunteers also picked up some cool rescue techniques. Huge thanks to Christine, Peyton, Cathy, Dan, Carol, and all the helpers who made this event possible. Special shoutout to Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Kelly from the park for their incredible support. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
PD Images of June 13th Kayaking trip
1 photo- 2 people in Kayak paddling
2 photo-smiling person in a kayak
3 photo- woman practicing her paddling strokes while on land
Happy Father's Day! To honor Father's Day here are a few puns and jokes that should give you a few laughs.
1. How come the seeing-eye dog didn't like to play goalball?
* It was a boxer
2. Why was the pig kicked off the goalball team?
* It was a ball hog
3. Why do goalball players make good project managers?
* Because they are always the first to get the ball rolling
4. Why did the goalball player bring string to the game?
* In case they needed to tie the score
5. Why was the goalball court so noisy?
* Because silence is golden, but the ball isn't.
It was a good practice today, with paralympian couple Amanda and Michael Dennis. Thank you for sharing your time and experience with the team.
Images- 1st- Amanda and Michael smiling at the camera. 2nd- Amanda getting ready to throw the goalball. 3rd- Michael getting ready to throw the goalball.
Blind Soccer is returning this fall! We will host a blind soccer clinic for those who are interested and want to learn more about the game. If you are interested or want more information please email Hal at [email protected]
PD Image of a flyer advertising Blind soccer returning in the fall. red background. with a male soccer player on the side..
Interested in beep baseball? Want to learn more or volunteer? Check out the Atlanta Chaos Beepbaseball Team!
They practice most Saturdays at Coan Park from 10-3. They are always looking for more players and volunteers!
Atlanta Chaos Beepball – Home of Atlanta's Adaptive Baseball Team Atlanta's Premier Adaptive Sports Team Atlanta Chaos Beepball We are the top beepball team in the southeast. What is Beepball? Beepball is baseball thats been adapted for the blind and visually impaired. It is one of the highest levels of competition found across adaptive sports. This sport is an op...
On Saturday, June 1, GBSA hosted its first adaptive kayaking event for 2024 at Red Top Mountain State Park.
Despite cool and breezy conditions, 20 participants and 11 volunteers joined our program host to make this event a hit.
Participants learned about various types of PFDs and practiced putting them on correctly. Some PFD trivia was shared including how the design of the life jacket was created to keep one’s head upright and above the water.
Next, various types of kayaks were explored as we discussed how to match a paddler’s body type and experience with the proper boat. Basic paddling strokes were taught and then folks got on the water to practice.
Many thanks to our safety boater volunteers who provided additional instructional feedback, and options to test out different types of boats and brought their paddleboards. Wind and waves provided additional excitement!
Kayaking is a sensory experience. The feel of the boat on the water, connecting to nature and having the freedom to navigate off the land are just some of the amazing benefits of trying this new sport.
GBSA's next Kayaking Event will be on Saturday, June 22nd. We are looking at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs from about 10-2. Stay tuned for additional details.
Happy Birthday to our Atlanta Ladies player, Sarabeth Tate. Sarabeth has been playing Goalball since she was 10 years old and has been with the Atlanta Ladies the past 2 years. We love to see our players grow, both on and off the court.
Photo collage- 5 different images of sarabeth with goalball. A goalball in the center and Happy Birthday Sarabeth at the top.
Image green with writing " A little progress each day adds up to big results"
Why Goalball is Important!
Great responses from great athletes at the Southeastern Goalball Tournament.
n
Thanks to Laticia (Michael's wife) for providing the reel🫶
Save The Date!! July 6, 2024, Georgia Blind Sports will hold its Tandem Bike Clinic. More information coming soon!
#
Image of Tandem Bike on a Pier Bridge with Ocean in the background. Words "Save The Date, Bike & Explore" a cloud with words Tandem Biking, July6, 2024
Our coaches are the best! Thank you to all the coaches who dedicated all their time and effort to supporting our athletes.
PD Photo collage of Atlanta coaches with players
Looking for something new to do this weekend? How about learning how to Kayak!
This Saturday, June 1, 2024, 9:30-2:00 at Red Top Mountain State Park. If interested PLEASE RSVP to Nancy Parkin by calling or txting 770-815-8768. We also need volunteers. We need to know how many kayaks to bring, so please RSVP.
Share the sport! Get awareness!
Blind athletes gather in Smyrna for Southeast National Goalball Qualifier Goalball is a sport for people with visual impairments — and it’s coming to Smyrna on Memorial Day weekend!
Great local support from Atlanta News.
Click link below for story
Top blind and visually impaired athletes gather in Cobb for regional goalball tournament The top blind and visually impaired players from all over the metro and the country are competing in the tournament.
Goalball has been honoring veterans and the services since its inception. Goalball began as an effort to assist soldiers who were visually impaired during WWII. On this Memorial Day, we want to thank all who have served.
Live streaming of both gyms on USABA YouTube page, link below, plus score board link. Good luck to all teams!
Catch the Day 1 livestream of the USABA Southeast National Goalball Qualifier
Gym 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHfMOg_eaKk
Gym 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HNKRTFHFj0
Schedule and Results: Goalball Scoreboard
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