In this Issue:
- Six goalball athletes named to Tokyo 2020 Canadian Paralympic Team, including MARYAM SALEHIZADEH of BC.
- Dragon Boating
- Tennis
- Return To Play Updates
- Virtual Classes – No Class July 1
- BC Blind Sports Active Living Network For Adults
- Deafblind Awareness Month
- In Memory of
- Have an active SUMMER!
1. Six goalball athletes named to Tokyo 2020 Canadian Paralympic Team, including MARYAM SALEHIZADEH of BC.
The Canadian women’s goalball team is preparing to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games this summer. The Paralympic Games take place August 24 to September 5, 2021. Congratulations to everyone selected to the team:
Brieann Baldock – Edmonton, AB
Whitney Bogart – Marathon, ON
Amy Burk – Charlottetown, PEI
Meghan Mahon – Timmins, ON
Emma Reinke – St. Thomas, ON
Maryam Salehizadeh – Vancouver, BC
Maryam Salehizadeh wears number one and plays the position of right wing for the Canadian women’s goalball team. She has been a member of the team since 2019 and made her Canadian debut at the 2019-Para pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. Salehizadeh has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports management.
The team secured a spot for the 2020 Paralympic Games when China defeated South Korea in the semifinals at the Asia-Pacific Championships in Chiba, Japan in December 2019.
Canada is a four-time Paralympic medallist in the sport of goalball, with the women’s team earning back-to-back gold medals in 2000 and 2004 as well as a silver in 1984, and the men’s squad securing a silver in 1996.
GO CANADA!
(image of the Canadian flag)
2. DRAGON BOATING
On June 28, 2021, the Dragon Zone Society will begin dragon boat operations under version 4 of its COVID protocols, with strict capacity guidelines, contact tracing requirements, and distancing requirements. Click here to preview Phase 4 Protocols
BC Blind Sports is preparing to have boats in the water by early to mid July by following all Dragon Boat club protocols. Some of the protocols include only ten paddlers in the boat along with the Steers person and coach, and all participants must wear masks on the boat.
BC Blind Sports teams will be made up of the following, Any team of 20 must have an approximate ratio of 7 to 12 blind or partially sighted members and a team of 10 must have an approximate ratio of 4 to 6 team members. The balance will be sighted volunteer paddlers.
Please contact Susan at the office for more details on how we can get your team back in the water.
3. TENNIS
The summer session of tennis will be on Friday’s starting July 2 from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. Please contact the office to register for this program, as we need to make sure there is enough room for players.
4. RETURN TO PLAY UPDATES
Goalball, hockey, lawn bowling and tennis continue to operate. We continue to follow the Provincial Health orders with all programs. All programs require you to register with a staff person at BC Blind Sports prior to attending a program.
For information on what you need to know to participate or how to register in any of these sports, please contact Mike Lonergan at the office 604-325-8638 or email him at mike@bcblindsports.bc.ca and he will give you the details you need to get back in the game. Information on return to sport is also available on our website.
There are also activities for all age groups to try available on our website.
5. VIRTUAL CLASSES – NO Class July 1
PLEASE NOTE There will be no Chair Yoga or Fitness with Brian on Thursday July 1 Canada Day.
6. BC BLIND SPORTS ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS
We are “Rockin and Walkin!” Yes, the BC Blind Sports Active Living Network for Adults is on the move! Ever wanted to embark on a no-cost cross-Canada adventure? Well, here is your chance! The BCBSRA ALNA virtual cross-Canada tour has just begun. If you would like to move more, laugh a lot and learn about different places across our beautiful country, this dynamic and fun-loving group is for you!
Our second meeting will take place over Zoom next Monday, July 5th at 1:00 PM. Cindy a certified fitness instructor from BC Blind Sports will be presenting on the topic of posture, as requested by Network members at our last meeting.
To join the Network or to get more info, please email Susan at susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca or Marilyn at: mrushton@shaw.ca
Hope to see you at our July 5 meeting,
Marilyn Rushton.
7. DEAFBLIND AWARENESS MONTH
BC Blind Sports joined many of our members and the deafblind community in celebrating Deafblind Awareness Month in June. A person who is deafblind experiences life in a unique way, separate from the way a person who is only blind or only deaf may experience.
June is designated as Deafblind Awareness Month. June is the birth month of Helen Keller, one of the most internationally recognized people with deafblindness.
Members of the deafblind community in BC joined a global awareness campaign to build awareness about people who are deafblind and engage in “yarn bombing” or tactile art installations across Canada through the month of June.
Yarn bombing is an activity that takes knitted, crocheted or loomed pieces of yarn and attaches them to objects or structures in public places as a form of street art to build awareness.
Additional information about Deafblind Awareness week and deafblindness is available at:
Thanks to the Canadian Deafblind Association – British Columbia (CDBABC), for the background information for this article. CDBABC is one of our partner organizations in the community.
8. IN MEMORY OF
It is with sadness we bring you the news of three members who have passed away.
John Bell passed on March 30 and Evelyn Bell passed on April 29th – John and his wife Evelyn were Lawn Bowls officials and Directors in our program. John attended many provincial, national and international competitions. John was very committed to our programs and he served on many committees, helped organized competitions and promoted BC Blind Sports programs at all levels. To learn more about John and Evelyn please see their obituaries. Our condolences to John and Evelyn’s family.
Robert (Bob) Comba passed on June 10th, Bob was a competitive golfer and a competitive curler. Bob was always promoting the sports he loved and wanted everyone to experience the joy of competitions. Bob helped bring golf to the level it is today for those who are blind or partially sighted. He was a big promotor of golf and curling and would help in any way he could. Bob’s obituary can be found here. We send our condolence to his wife Barb and family.
9. Have an active SUMMER!
Wishing you all a fun filled safe and active SUMMER, and don’t forget to check out the activities on our website.
From all of us at BC Blind Sports
Stay Safe, Active, and Connected to us!