Category Archives: Update

Volunteers Still Needed for 3rd NS Open Goalball Tourney

There’s still time to volunteer for our third annual NS Open Goalball Tournament – The only parasport event of its kind in Atlantic Canada!

We need goal judges, shot recorders, time keepers etc. No previous experience is required as we will provide training.

If you are able to sign up for more than one shift, it would be greatly appreciated. See shift schedule below.
Shift 1 – Fri, Nov 17 – 5:30 PM to 8:40 PM
Shift 2 – Sat, Nov 18 – 7:30 AM to 11:35 AM
Shift 3 – Sat, Nov 18 – 11:10 AM to 3:15 PM
Shift 4 – Sat, Nov 18 – 2:50 PM to 7:50 PM
Shift 6 – Sun, Nov 19 – 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Shift 7 – Sun, Nov 19 – 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Peter at info@blindsportsnovascotia.ca.

We are also looking for people who could help with driving athletes to and from the tournament venue to the tournament hotel (Atlantica) at the beginning and the end of each day.

We are also looking for people to help serve food to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.

Thank you for your consideration,
Peter Parsons, Chairperson
CCB Blind Sports NS

Thank You, Sponsors of the 3rd Nova Scotia Open Goalball Tournament

The Nova Scotia Open Goalball Tournament, the only parasport event of its kind in Atlantic Canada, would not be possible without this year’s Sponsors.

There’s still time to support this event, message us on Facebook or email us at info@blindsportsnovascotia.ca!

We’re thrilled to have  Accel Physiotherapy & Sport Performance Centre back again this year! Visit them at www.accelphysio.ca

 Accel Physiotherapy & Sport Performance Centre!

 

Thank you to our returning Silver sponsors, CNIB and Accessible Media inc.! Visit them at www.cnib.ca and www.ami.ca 

CNIB 100 years of change accessible media inc

Thank you, to this year’s returning Bronze sponsors, Atlantica Hotel, Canadian Council of the Blind, and Ocean Contractors! Visit them at www.atlanticahotelhalifax.com, www.ccbnational.net, and www.oceancontractors.ca

Ocean built on quality Canadian Council of the Blind a lack of sight is not a lack of vision atlantica hotel Halifax

Thank you to our Goalball Supporters, Halifax Harbourside Rotary Club, Pizza Pizza, Lion’s Club Dartmouth, Lion’s Club Armdale, and Stuart and Davidson Orthodontics Inc.

Halifax harbourside pizza pizza hot & Fresh www.pizzapizza.ca

APSEA Auxiliary Fall Fair is back!

APSEA Auxiliary Fall Fair is back this year and they are still accepting donations from fantastic people, like you!

This event is also a great way to get your holiday shopping started early!

Funds raised support of Children and Youth Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, Blind or Visually Impaired and takes place Saturday, November 4th, from 1 to 3 pm at APSEA 5940 South St, Halifax

Donations can be dropped off at the school. The second, taller, building. Security will greet you. Can’t get your donation the school? Questions? Email: auxiliary@apsea.ca.

Donations can include:
Gently used household items, such as dishes, No Electronics
Plants
Crafts/Antiques
Baked Goods/preserves
Quality linens, drapes, bedding etc.
Toys, no stuffed toys
Gently used clothes, shoes, handbags etc
Holiday and Christmas Items, this is one of our biggest sellers!!
Books
Jewellery
Silent Auction prizes, such as gift baskets
Gift Cards
Cash Donations

APSEA Auxiliary Sir Frederick Fraser School 5940 South Street (across from IWK Health Centre) Doors open at 1 pm. Free parking available. FALL FAIR Sat. Nov. 4, 2017 • 1-3 pm Admission: $2.00 • Tea Room: $3.00 Sponsored by the APSEA (Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority) Auxiliary Serving children and youth who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind, or visually impaired Pantry table, crafts & gifts, flowers & plants, sewing, knitting, jewelry, books, white elephant, silent auction, toys, Christmas decorations & more...

Download the PDF: Fall Fair 2017 poster

Goalball Season Starts September 16th in Halifax

The 2017-18 competitive & recreational goalball season gets underway Saturday, September 16th at the George Dixon Centre in Halifax!

Rec goalball, for teens & adults of all levels, will be Saturdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Junior goalball will be Saturdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Competitive men’s goalball will be Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Everyone is welcome, including new volunteers! Drop in and give goalball a go. We’ll provide the gear, experienced coaches & officials, and fun & inclusive environment! See you out on the court!

Questions? Email us at info@blindsportsnovascotia.ca or message us on Facebook.

silhouette of someone blocking a goalball

Interested in Running?

We’re pretty psyched about a few upcoming running events!! the Navy 10K in Halifax, Maritime Race Weekend in beautiful Eastern Passage, and one of our members is even training for her first half-marathon in Ottawa.

If you have vision loss and are interested in running, we’d love to hear from you, and so would our amazing Guide Bunny friends!

Check out the Guide Bunny website to learn more about how they help make running & racing accessible for those of us with vision loss.

Guide Bunny Melinda and runner, Stephanie after completing the Blue Nose 10K 2017
Guide Bunny Melinda and runner, Stephanie after completing the Blue Nose 10K 2017

Blind Hockey Registration NOW OPEN!

Hi Parents/Athletes etc.,

Hope your summer is going well. We are now open to accepting registration for the first year of the Nova Scotia Blind Hockey. Our ice will be at the Shearwater Rink, Dartmouth and it will be Sunday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.

We have attached the 2017-18 season Registration Forms. Our season will start on September 10th this year and will go to March 25, 2018 for a total of 27 on ice sessions.

Registration will have two parts this year, one of insurance through Hockey Nova Scotia (see attached form) and the second part the registration of the athletes for Nova Scotia Blind Hockey through the attached form. We are hoping for free insurance from HNS for our start-up year and it will be confirmed later. The other option it would cost $25.00 per for insurance.

The second portion of registration involves filling out the attached  form. Our Nova Scotia Blind Hockey registration fee will be $200.00 for this season.

Steve Coates as administrator will accept these registration forms and payment in the form of a cheque (Payable to Nova Scotia Blind Hockey ).

You may mail the completed forms with a cheque to the below address:  Nova Scotia Blind  Hockey C/O Steve Coates 43 Dorothea Drive Dartmouth, NS, B2W 5X4

Alternatively we can meet some place if that is the preference.

Thanks for your interest and we all look forward to the start of the program.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to either Ian Readey or Steve Coates.

Ian Readey President – Nova Scotia Blind Hockey 902-414-9205

Steve Coates Administrator – Nova Scotia Blind Hockey 902-471-9178

Forms: Nova Scotia Blind Hockey – Athlete Registration form ; Player Registration Certificate (2)

Try Tandem Biking on Sat, July 15th!

Blind Sports Nova Scotia’s recreational Tandem Bike Club is hosting a try-it day and we’d love you to join us!

Do you or does someone you know have vision loss and an interest in tandem biking? Are you a cycling enthusiast and want to make biking accessible for people with vision loss in your community while having a lot of fun?

Please RSVP via email at tandembikes@blindsportsnovascotia.ca or via the Facebook event.

Silhouette of 2 people riding a tandem bike
Silhouette of 2 people riding a tandem bike

When: Saturday, July 15th, 2017 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Where: St Andrews Centre parking lot, 3380 Barnstead Lane Halifax. Busses 17, 80, and 81 stop close by. Let us know if you require more directions or a guide from the bus stop.

What are we doing:
  • This event is for both stokers (individuals with vision loss) and volunteer pilots (person who rides up front).
  • We’ll talk about the how our recreational Tandem Bike Club works for both stokers and volunteers.
  • You’ll get to know the bikes, safety techniques and best practices, as well as sighted guide instruction for volunteers.
  • Take a tandem bike for a short spin. Volunteer pilots can also try riding in back while blindfolded.
  • We have a few helmets, but please bring yours if you have one.

Please remember to RSVP via email at tandembikes@blindsportsnovascotia.ca or via the Facebook event.

We look forward to hearing from you and getting you hooked on tandem biking!

Wanna go tandem biking?

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” John F. Kennedy

We’ve got 3 tandem bikes available for short & long-term loans. If you or someone you know has vision loss and wants to borrow one of our bikes or/and join us for friendly group ride, please message us or email us at tandembikes@blindsportsnovascotia.ca. We’ll show you the ropes, offer a roster of capable volunteer pilots, and have helmets to get you started! Can’t wait to hear from you!

Milena K and her dad discovered they love biking together, now they're hooked. Here they are about to mount a tandem bike
Milena K and her dad discovered they love biking together, now they’re hooked. Here they are about to mount a tandem bike

And the 2016-17 Support4Sport winners are…

We’d like to congratulate and thank the following people, who contributed their time, effort, and heart to the sport of goalball and the community throughout 2017 (and then some). Blind Sports Nova Scotia has proudly nominated the following individuals for Support4Sport Awards, hosted by Sport Nova Scotia last evening.
Tamar Ellis, Official of the year
Peter Parsons, Coach of the year
Stephanie Berry, Female Team Athlete of the year
Mason Smith, Male Team Athlete of the year
Linda MacRae Triff, Volunteer of the year
NS Men’s Goalball team, team of the year

Sport Nova Scotia Suppor4Sport award recipients for goalball, Stephanie Berry, Female team athlete of the year, and Tamar Ellis, Official of the year. 2016-17
Sport Nova Scotia Suppor4Sport award recipients for goalball, Stephanie Berry, Female team athlete of the year, and Tamar Ellis, Official of the year. 2016-17
Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Official of the year trophy, awarded to Tamar Ellis for goalball 2016-17
Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Official of the year trophy, awarded to Tamar Ellis for goalball 2016-17