All posts by Jennie

Nova Scotia Comes out on top at ON Parasport Games

Flashback Friday to last weekend and the 2022 Ontario Parasport Games! Nova Scotia was very well represented and came out on top. Here’s a recap from Peter Parsons, athlete, coach, and Blind Sports NS Chair.
group photo of several athletes wearing medals
“Our Nova Scotia team with me, Mason and our 13 year old Harry beat the Ontario men’s provincial team in the gold medal in the competitive D1A. We also had Yvon as our back up player and Linda and Robyn coaching as well as Broden helping out all of our teams. Our Nova Scotia juniors with Nick, Matt, Griffin and Edward lost a close 11-8 game in the 3 vs 4 game against the team that had two men’s national team pool players on it from BC and Quebec. The NS Juniors beat them in their first game of the tournament. It was a great experience for the junior boys having some good close games in a senior men’s tournament.
We also had Samir, who is one of our players on one of our rec teams, win the gold medal in the D1B competitive division with two players from Ontario who are on our women’s national team.
In the rec division we had the Bluenosers win gold. The Bluenosers consisted of Edward, John and Alexis B. Atlantic won silver. Atlantic consisted of Ashlee, Samir, Alex (from NB!), and Linda (player/coach). The Blizzrds beat the Ontario team in the rec division in the 3 vs 4 game. The Blizzards consisted of Yvon, Alexis N, Emily and Samantha. Unfortunately, they did not give out bronze medals. The gold and silver medals they did give out were some of the nicest medals I’ve seen in a provincial or national level event.
It was a great experience for all on the court as well as making friends off the court. I’m very proud of all the players. Thanks again to our coaches Linda and Robyn. Thanks to Broden for helping out!”
group photo of several athletes wearing medals

Nova Scotia men snatch bronze at goalball Nationals

Congratulations to all who competed last weekend at this year’s Canadian Senior Goalball Nationals! We’re especially proud of the Nova Scotia men’s goalball team, who snatched bronze!

This marks the 8th straight medal for Nova Scotia at Nationals. The future of goalball in Nova Scotia is bright!
Pictured is the team with bronze medals. From left to right – #4 Mike Grant, #2 Mason Smith, #5 Peter Parsons, #1 Nick Gentleman, coach Linda MacRae Triff.

1st Atlantic Open Goalball Tournament a Success

We are still feeling the excitement that was the first Atlantic Open Goalball Tournament last weekend!
We were proud to host this event, made possible by incredible sponsors ACCEL Physiotherapy and Sport Performance Centre and AMI.
Thanks to the volunteers, referees, athletes, coaches, and all those who came out to show support, it was a stellar goalball event.
Congratulations to all who participated!
Women’s Division:
3rd place Atlantic
2nd place Nova Scotia Rec.
1st place  Nova Scotia Storm
Men’s Division:
3rd place Bluenosers
2nd place New Brunswick
1st place Blizzards
Photos courtesy of Shanna Kinnear (edited):
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COVID-19 UPDATE Proof of vaccination required as of Oct 4 2021

Beginning October 4, 2021, in accordance with provincial Covid-19 guidelines, proof of vaccination will be required to participate in or volunteer for all Blind Sports NS programs.

Participants and volunteers aged 12 and up must be prepared to provide proof of double vaccination and photo ID.
For goalball and all other programs, proof of vaccination will be checked by a coach or program leader. The rental facility, such as George Dixon Centre, may also verify proof of full vaccination upon entry.

We thank you for your cooperation.

For Covid-19 information and updates, visit the following link for up-to-date information from NS Department of Health & Wellness: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus

Join our Bluenose Marathon 2021 team!

We’re excited to be recruiting for the Blind Sports NS 2021 Bluenose Marathon and Charity Challenge team! 

Join us and walk or run a variety of distances on November 6th & 7th and raise funds for Blind Sports NS programs and/or future individual athlete expenses!

Click here to register! Be sure to join the Blind Sports Nova Scotia Charity Challenge team. 

A runner and guide in neon green shirts show off their finisher medals and sport big smiles

Anyone can register & join the team and the Bluenose is in person again this year (yay!), with a virtual option also available. 

Walk or run with a choice of a variety of distances! Find out more here. 

We can connect participants to a run or walk guide on request. 

Regrettably, free registrations are not being offered to charities this year. Registration fees range from just $20 for youth to $50 and up, depending on the distance and when you register. Find pricing here. 

Participants receive an official event T-Shirt, Race Bib and the official Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon Finished’er medal. Find training plans and more at www.bluenosemarathon.com. 

If you or someone you know would like to donate to Blind Sports Nova Scotia’s Bluenose 2021 team, without registering for the event, visit our Make a Donation page.

Thanks for helping us spread the word and the fundraising link above.

Questions? Need help registering? Please email us at blindsportsns@gmail.com.

Sport Makes A Difference Award

Congratulations and THANK YOU to coach Linda!

This year, Support4Sport​  introduced the SPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AWARD honouring one individual, group, organization, or committee who went above and beyond for their sport despite the challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

To us, nobody is more deserving than coach Linda MacRae Triff​.

Linda’s a hero to goalball athletes and has volunteered with the sport for over 15 years. She’s a positive role model and mentor both on and off the court. During the pandemic, the easiest thing would have been canceling practices, but Linda worked very hard to make program adjustments to ensure athletes had a safe environment and kept active. She’s a great asset to the sport and admired by everyone she works with.

 Read all about this year’s winners here.