Image provided. Left to right: SANFL Head of Game Development Brad Humphrey, Blind Low Vision participants Isaac McInnes, Tyreece Bevan and Amelia Hart and Guide Dogs SA/NT Chief Operating Officer Jason Clark with Guide Dogs Merlin and Tofu.
SANFL has announced a new partnership with Guide Dogs SA/NT to launch the first Aussie Rules competition in South Australia for people living with blindness and low vision.
The SANFL Blind Low Vision (BLV) League will begin in March. It will offer participants the chance to play modified competitive football in a supportive and inclusive setting. The League is supported by Guide Dogs SA/NT and State Government funding through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing’s Collaboration Grants program.
Matches will be played indoors at AFL Max Adelaide Airport. The venue provides will provide a controlled environment that allows players to clearly hear the modified Sherrin football during play.
SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said, “Our strategic goal is to make footy inclusive and accessible to everyone.”
“The launch of the SANFL BLV League with the support of Guide Dogs SA/NT will ensure South Australians living with blindness and low vision can now participate in our game.”
“The establishment of this new league strengthens our commitment to growing football for all South Australians. It’s a really exciting time for our game.”
“We thank both Guide Dogs SA/NT and the State Government for their commitment to creating inclusive sporting opportunities and getting more South Australians living with disability to be healthy and active.”
Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Aaron Chia said, “At Guide Dogs SA/NT, our mission is to provide independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing for people living with low vision, blindness and other specialised needs.”
“The SANFL BLV League is an excellent step in ensuring there is greater access and inclusion in our community for people with any level of vision, and we’re incredibly proud to be supporting this initiative. We’re looking forward to partnering with SANFL so that more South Australians can enjoy and get involved in the football community.”
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, The Hon. Rhiannon Pearce MP said, “I really commend SANFL for being such an inclusive sporting organisation and this new competition for South Australians living with blindness and low vision is further evidence of this. Disability should not be a barrier for being able to enjoy our national game and this partnership ensures South Australians living with blindness and low vision have the opportunity to get active and enjoy our great game.”
The League will launch with a come and try session on Saturday 7 February from 5:30pm at AFL Max.
The BLV League will be a six-a-side competition. Teams will include eight to ten players to allow for substitutes. Modifications include a specially designed Sherrin football with an electronic beeper. Goal umpires will also shake rattles to indicate scoring zones.
Participants, volunteers and SANFL staff will have access to Human Guide Training. This training supports safe and confident movement for people with blindness or low vision.
For more info, visit the SANFL website.
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