USABA Offering 2015 Winter Goalball Camp in February

Through funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs and in partnership with Turnstone, the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a goalball training camp for beginner and intermediate players in Fort Wayne, IN from February 23-27, 2015.

The focus of this camp is active duty military and veterans who have experienced vision loss, but all blind or VI athletes are eligible to apply to learn more about the game or sharpen their skills. Participants will get the chance to train with instruction from U.S. National Team players and coaches. Anyone who has experience with goalball up to the intermediate level is encouraged to apply.

• Camp Dates: February 23-27, 2015 (including travel days)

• Location: The Turnstone Foundation, Ft. Wayne, IN

• Non-military athletes will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements with arrivals on February 23 and departures on February 27 into Fort Wayne, IN

• Application Deadline: January 11, 2015

• There is no cost for VA, Veterans or military participants. The fee for all other participants is $250 that will cover:

  • Room and board

  • Transportation to and from the airport and throughout the week

  • Instruction

Athletes at the camp will learn:

• Basic goalball skills (blocking, defensive positioning, throwing, game strategy and communication)

• Two practices per day Tuesday through Thursday

• Classroom sessions including film review and theoretical game discussion

• Athletes must possess the physical fitness to make it through the duration of the camp

We are also pleased to invite up to five interested coaches to attend and enhance their own goalball knowledge. Funding will be available for approved coaches (VA staff and other community coaches). No prior goalball experience is required; however, we will be looking for applicants who have an interest in building goalball programs in their community or having a continued involvement with the USABA Goalball Program. Coach attendees will learn how to:

• Teach skills and drills

• Coach game situations

• Officiate effectively

Athletes interested in applying should fill out the application by clicking here no later than January 11, 2015. Interested coaches and VA staff must provide a cover letter to Matt Simpson at USABA (msimpson@usaba.org) by January 11, 2015. Please include details on your interest in the camp, your previous goalball experience and how you would hope to use the camp to develop the sport of goalball in your community or with blind veterans. Please direct any questions to Matt Simpson at msimpson@usaba.org or call (719) 866-3019. Click here to apply by January 11, 2015.