In this Issue:

1. Six goalball athletes named to Tokyo 2020 Canadian Paralympic Team, including MARYAM SALEHIZADEH of BC.
2. Dragon Boating
3. Tennis
4. Return To Play Updates
5. Virtual Classes – No Class July 1
6. BC Blind Sports Active Living Network For Adults
7. Deafblind Awareness Month
8. In Memory of
9. 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:

• Canadian Deafblind Association National
• Canadian Deafblind Association British Columbia

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!

In this Issue:

1. NEW WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK LAUNCHED
2. INSIGHT IN SCHOOLS
3. BC ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS, OUR NEWEST VIRTUAL PROGRAM
4. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
5. ATHLETICS – FROM, CBC ABOUT A RUNNER WHO IS BLIND
6. BLIND ICE HOCKEY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
7. TENNIS
8. MEMBERSHIP 2021 – 2022
9. KEEP ACTIVE AND STAY SAFE

1. NEW WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK LAUNCHED

As we continue to do more work on our website, we are pleased to have launched a new look and feel. Please check it out here! One of the new and exciting additions is that you can now apply and pay for your new or renewed membership online.

2. INSIGHT IN SCHOOLS

Last year’s virtual sports day program was a wonderful success with students from all ages and through out the province participating. This year we hope to reach even more students and communities. We will again sponsor a virtual sports day for all interested.

The outline is on our website as well as available through PRCVI’s site, along with 8 weeks of motor skill development ideas, 2020’s version is still up as well.

We continue to work with the vision teachers and be in frequent contact with schools for personal consultations to assist and promote students to be physically active.

Adult are welcome to try these activities and have some fun as well, see the article below on An Opportunity for All.

Please contact Mike at 604-325-8638 anytime for further information

3. BC ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS, OUR NEWEST VIRTUAL PROGRAM

SAVE THE DATE! The BC Blind Sports Active Living Network for Adults goes live on Monday, June 7th at 2:00 PM!

Please join us on Zoom to kick-off our Virtual trip to wherever in the world we decide to go. Whether your favourite walk is around your home, your neighbourhood, or further afield, your activity will get us to our virtual location! And who knows what fun and happenings we’ll enjoy along the way! So come and help us create the plan to get us all moving more while having a blast together!

If you haven’t signed up yet, or if you are hearing about this group for the first time, please read below for all the details. In short, we will need your name, email address and phone number, and the only requirement is that you are or become a member of BC Blind Sports.

Our first virtual gathering will be an informal conversation for all participants to meet each other and share ideas to create a plan to accomplish our activity goals together. In addition, we will determine frequency of meetings as well as presentation topics to promote health and wellness through the pandemic and beyond.

There is still time to get your name on the list to receive an invitation to the June 7th meeting. You can contact either Marilyn at mrushton@shaw.ca or Susan at the office or by email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca

So spread the word! And we hope to see you all at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 7th

This program celebrates all levels of physical activity in daily routines. There is no competition or comparison of individual achievements, and only the combined total weekly activity amount is shared with the whole group.

For more information, please see the Active Living Network section on our website.

4. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

Please checkout the new materials in An Opportunity for All – a virtual motor skills program appropriate for all ages.

5. ATHLETICS – FROM, CBC ABOUT A RUNNER WHO IS BLIND

Check out this CBC article and radio clip about runner Peter Field and his struggle to find guides and keep running during the pandemic.

6. BLIND ICE HOCKEY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Canadian Blind Hockey is providing a Children and Youth Virtual Blind Hockey Camp presented by AMI and brought to you by the CNIB Foundation. The camp is free to attend and takes place on Saturday, June 5, between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm eastern. The camp is aimed at existing children and youth Blind Hockey players of all ages and at all levels of experience, as well as children and youth who are interested in joining the rapidly growing Para sport of Blind Hockey. In addition to players, children and youth volunteers, coaches, administrators, parents, etc. are all welcome to participate!

For more information please see the Canadian Blind Hockey website.

7. TENNIS

Tennis continues in a limited way as public health orders permit. It is still offered on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, for information to participate or how to register, please contact Mike at the Blind Sports office 604-325-8638 or email him at mike@bcblindsports.bc.ca Information on return to sport is also available on our website.

8. MEMBERSHIP 2021 – 2022

If you are a member and have not updated your membership please do so by trying out our new online membership application. We would welcome any feed back from you as to how the process went for you. If you require help with the new online membership, please email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca

Payments can be made:

From our new website – on line by credit card through paypal.
Credit Card payment by calling the office.
E transfer to David at david@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Or mail in the form with a cheque to the office.

Please do not send cash in the mail.

Please do not drop into the office without speaking to us first due to the current public health restrictions.

9. KEEP ACTIVE AND STAY SAFE

The schedule of virtual fitness activities in on the main page of our website in the bottom centre square. Contact us if you want to try one of these.

More in person sport opportunities will resume shortly – please stay tuned!

THANK YOU to all of our volunteers for your continued support.

Stay safe and stay active everyone!

From your BC Blind Sports Staff:
Jane, Mike, David, Linda, and Susan.

In this Issue:

New Web Site and Facebook pages Coming Soon
Celebrating Our Volunteers
Our Newest Virtual Program BC BLIND SPORTS Active Living Network for Adults
Insight in Schools
An Opportunity for All
Tennis
Membership 2021-2022
In Memory of Carolyn Gunn

NEW WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK PAGES COMING SOON

We are looking forward to the launch of our new Website and new Facebook page. Watch for an announcement coming soon and check out our new look and feel. One of the newest additions on the site will be that you can complete your membership application and payment online. Check out the many ways to enjoy physical activities when we send you the link!

CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS

This past year has been very challenging for all. However, we had some very resilient volunteers. They came out to programs and continued to work with individual athletes on their workout plans and adapted to new ways of doing things such as virtual fitness and training, all this while following all public health restriction and protocols.

Our volunteers remain our greatest resource. We at BC Blind Sports take this opportunity to give a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers. We celebrate the commitment, and enthusiasm you bring to our programs. Thank you for your valued time, dedication and support of our athletes and programs. From across BC, and beyond, our VOLUNTEERS have a tremendously positive impact on our athletes, programs, and the communities they live in.

Whether it is at the grass roots, community, high performance or Paralympic level – our VOLUNTEERS give their all. They help athletes reach their goals in their sport.

Our Board of Directors, athletes, and staff; thank our volunteers for everything they do. We hereby recognize all of you for the role you play by saying THANK YOU!

OUR NEWEST VIRTUAL PROGRAM – BC BLIND SPORTS ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS

This new program is based on the cross-Canada Women’s Active Living Engagement Network, an idea conceived by Marilyn Rushton from BC, and sponsored by the Canadian Blind Sports Association. Marilyn is a recently retired Vision Teacher and blind from birth. She learned the benefits of everyday walking and body movement in a fun and supportive way and is excited to share the fun with others.

Program purpose: To bring people together to support each other and celebrate the value of all daily physical activities, whether walking to the mailbox with a white cane or guide dog, moving around home, climbing stairs, going for a bike ride, or going for a relaxing stroll with a friend.

How the Program works – The first virtual gathering will be an informal conversation for all participants to meet each other and share ideas to create a plan to accomplish our activity goals together. For example, someone has expressed interest in walking from Vancouver to London.

In addition, we will determine frequency of meetings as well as presentation topics to promote health and wellness through the pandemic and beyond.

Between meetings, Network members will send in a weekly activity log of a physical activity of their choice and level. Marilyn will crunch the numbers and send out the weekly combined total to the group. It will be fun to see how far we can go and how many interesting places we can visit along the way. FYI: the Canadian women’s network is currently on a virtual cruise from Vancouver to the Hawaiian Islands, with members planning daily cruise activities and port excursions to sample different foods and cultural events.

This program celebrates all levels of physical activity in daily routines. There is no competition or comparison of individual achievements, and only the combined total weekly activity amount is shared with the whole group.

If this opportunity for some virtual travel and fun appeals to your sense of adventure and to learn more about this program please contact us by email info@bcblindsports.bc.ca

INSIGHT IN SCHOOLS

We continue to be in frequent contact with schools for personal consultations to assist students to be physically active. Read more…

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

Please checkout the new materials in An Opportunity for All – a virtual motor skills program appropriate for all ages.

TENNIS

Tennis continues in a limited way as public health orders permit. It is still offered on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, for information on what you need to know to participate or how to register, please contact Mike Lonergan at the office 604-325-8638 or email him at mike@bcblindsports.bc.ca Information on return to sport is also available on our website.

MEMBERSHIP 2021 – 2022

Memberships are now due. Once our new website has been launched, you will be able to submit your membership and payment online. You fill the form out on line and have four choices to pay your membership. If you require help with the new online membership, please email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca

Payments can be made:

1. From our new website – on line by credit card through paypal.
2. Credit Card payment by calling the office.
3. E transfer to David at david@bcblindsports.bc.ca
4. Or mail in the form with a cheque to the office.

Please do not send cash in the mail. Please do not drop into the office without speaking to us first due to public health restrictions.

IN MEMORY OF CAROLYN GUNN

It is with much sadness that we let you know of the passing of one of our BC Blind Sports Members of the Board of Directors, Carolyn Gunn, Member at Large. Carolyn passed away on April 10, 2021.

Carolyn joined us more than ten years ago. She was a dedicated volunteer and participant in our Fitness class in Nanaimo. She was very connected to many groups and clubs both in the blind community and in the sighted community. Carolyn was able to recruit Brian, our Nanaimo fitness instructor to our program. Carolyn also was a great promoter and advocate for our members and programs. Carolyn will be missed in our programs and at the board table.

Here is a link to a memorial page and guest book. Carolyn Gunn  (arbormemorial.ca)

Stay safe and stay active
Jane, Mike, David, Linda, and Susan

Inside this Issue:

1. We’re Moving
2. Virtual Programs – Chair Yoga, Sunday night class added, Starting February 21st
3. Return to Play
4. 2021/2022 Memberships

1. WE’RE MOVING

– We are pleased to announce we have a new office!!!

OUR NEW ADDRESS AS OF MARCH 1, 2021 IS #606-4980 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4K7

We will be located in the 5000 Plaza on Kingsway in Burnaby. Most of you may remember we had an office in that complex above the Royal Bank for more than four years, before moving into the Joyce street office. Once we are moved in and are able to be open to members and visitors we will send out a notice with detailed directions to our new office via sky train and bus. The office is between the Metro Town Station and Royal Oak station, from either station it is about a 10 min walk or 2 to 3 minute bus ride.

Due to the move the office will be closed on February 26th and it may take longer for staff to return calls or emails during Feb 24th to March 2nd 2021, as we prepare to do the big move on Saturday the February 27th.

2. VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

– Chair Yoga, Sunday night class added Starting February 21st.
We are pleased to announce starting on February 21st, we are adding a Sunday night Chair Yoga class, via Zoom, from 6pm to 7pm
We look forward to having you join us. Please see the full schedule for all classes below and for additional information about any of the classes please contact Susan.

SCHEDULE

Dragon Boat Dryland Training with Cindy – Monday 7:30pm to 8:30pm and Tuesday 9:30am to 10:30am
Fitness with Brian – Wednesdays 2:00pm to 3:00pm and Thursday 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Chair Yoga with Candice – Sunday 6:00pm to 7:00pm and Thursday 12:00 noon to 1:00pm

Zoom Invites for all classes will be sent out no later than one hour prior to the class.
Please join us by replying to Susan’s email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca and indicate which class(s) you would like to join.

3. RETURN TO PLAY

At this time there are no changes to report. 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 BC Blind Sports Return to Sport is also available on our website.

4. 2021/2022 MEMBERSHIPS

During the 2020/2021 season a large number of our members continued to support us by renewing their memberships. We hope this will be continued as we work hard to bring new online programs and do our best to bring back our in person programs when the Provincial Health Authorities give us the green light to go ahead.

If you are renewing your membership from last year, you can send Susan an email letting her know and detailing any changes or information updates you may have. New members can register by emailing the attached form to Susan or mailing it to the office. Alternatively, you can email Susan with your Name, address, phone number, email address and the membership category you are applying in.

Membership Categories and Fees:
Blind / Partially Sighted athlete member: $15 and
Supporting member $5

Memberships can be paid by:

eTransfer by emailing David Chung, our Finance Manager at david@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Visa or MasterCard – by phoning the office and David will assist you
Mailing a cheque and membership form or information to the office

We continue to be here to help you remain active as best as possible.
Don’t forget to check out the activities on our website and to share your thoughts and ideas with us.

You can continue to contact us as follows:
Email: info@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Phone: 604 321-1638 or Toll Free: 1 877 604-8638

Sincerely,
Jane, Mike, David and Susan
BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association
#606 – 4980 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC
Tel: 604-325-8638 Toll Free: 1-877-604-8638
Fax: 604-325-1638

Inside this Issue:

• Holiday Greetings from the Board and Staff
• Office Hours and Staff during the Holiday Season
• Return to Play Update
• Virtual Programs – Holiday Schedule .
• Volunteers – THANK YOU!!!
• In Memory of Margaret (Peggy) Casey

1. Holiday Greetings from the Board and Staff

Dear members and supporters, we take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Wonderful Festive Season, and all the best for however you celebrate this time of the year. Our warm wishes go out to you and we hope that you find peace, joy and happiness in this holiday season.

We hope you have been able to stay safe, well, and active during 2020. Thanks to those of you who have reached out to us to let us know how you are staying active, and how you are using our activities posted online. We want to keep hearing from you. If you haven’t already done so, check these activities out – begin at week one. If you have done these before – do them again with some modifications, see if you have improved, or check out some of the links we have posted in each lesson. These activities are great for a variety of ages and skill levels. We have also been providing activity information through some of our partner organizations so if you are looking for something different or specific – let us know.

We know It has been a bit of a different year for many of us – with some sports, activities, and school visits being shut down all together, and some available in a limited or virtual sense. We have been happy to work with you to find solutions to help keep you active and will continue to do so. In some cases we can arrange for equipment loans or ideas for alternative equipment or equipment modifications. We can also help train new guides, or provide online programming. We are here to help you be active.

If you haven’t checked out our virtual programming (Fitness, Dragon Boat Fitness, or Yoga), these will be offered in January again – so try it out.

We hope you have a safe, Festive Season, and we wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy 2021!

2. Office and staff holiday hours

As the office will be closed from December 24th to January 4th to the members and public. The staff will be checking emails, phone messages and the mail between Dec 24th thorough to January 4th. We will do our best to respond to any messages within a 24 hour time line.

3. Return to Play Updates

The sports of Goalball and Ice Hockey are on hold until January because of the new provincial health orders. We will let you know when a new start up date is available. Tennis is now finished for the holiday season and will resume on January 6th at the regular time.

All new participants in any of these program require you to register with a staff person at BC Blind Sports prior to attending a program.

For information on when in person programs will start up again, 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. Read the BC Blind Sports Return to Sport on our website.

4. Virtual Programs – Holiday Schedule

There are no classes during the week of Dec 28th thru to Jan 1st, the schedule is below.

Dragon Boat Training with Cindy
Monday December 21st 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Tuesday December 22nd 9:30am to 10:30am
January 4th at 7:30pm to 8:30pm
January 5th at 9:30am to 10:30pm

Fitness with Brian –
December 23rd and 24th No classes
January 6th 2pm to 3pm
January 7th 7pm to 8pm

Chair Yoga with Candice
December 24th 12:00 noon to 1:00pm
January 7th 12 noon to 1:00pm

5. VOLUNTEERS – THANK YOU!!!

You’re our greatest resources – We at BC Blind Sports are so grateful for all your hard work. Your help, enthusiasm and commitment to our programs make them the success they are.

Your willingness to participate in our in-person programs from goalball, ice hockey, tennis to the sport guides and volunteers who attend the virtual programs, you have helped make them very successful during this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together through the protocols and changes to the way we play sports We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. THANK YOU!!!!

6. In Memory of Margaret (Peggy) Casey

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peggy Casey on Saturday December 12th Peggy passed away in Vancouver, peacefully with her family by her side, she was 92. Peggy was committed to the sport of Lawn Bowling in every way. From promoting the sport, working with volunteers, and being an excellent bowler, Peggy helped the sport grow for partially sighted and blind participants. She excelled and attended many competitions including the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta USA. She held several positions on our Board and sat on several committees thought her career as an athlete. Peggy was a great ambassador for BC Blind Sports and was always willing to help when needed. She will be missed very much. Guest book and obituary link.

SEASONS GREETING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

From all of us at BC Blind Sports

In this Issue:

• Return to Play Updates
• Virtual fitness, Dragon Boat Dryland Training, and Yoga Programs via Zoom
• Canadian Blind Sports Association’s – Women’s Active Living Engagement Network
• Giftwrapping

1. Return to Play Updates

At this time goalball, hockey and tennis have been suspended until we get further notice from the Provincial Health authorities to start up again.

All programs require you to register with a staff person at BC Blind Sports prior to attending a program.

Please also note that the current recommendation for physical activity is to stay three (3) meters physical distance from anyone else during physical activity. Current provincial orders are that no in person group physical activities are to be offered for adults. Please contact us about checking out our virtual activities. There are also activities for all age groups to try available on our website.

For information on when in person programs will start up again, 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. Read more information on return to sport.

2. Virtual Fitness, Dragon Boat Dryland Training, and Yoga Programs via Zoom

Schedule is listed below. All classes are approximately 40 min. with a water break at about the 20 min. mark. Also please have a sturdy chair to sit on.

Chair Yoga with Candice. We are pleased to announce a new Chair Yoga class via Zoom. – Candice has been instructing our classes in the Chilliwack area for the past 2 years. She is a 500 Registered Yoga Therapist with experience in a variety of types of yoga. Her approach in yoga therapy is building a practice around the needs of the people she serves. Please see the schedule of classes below and for additional information about this class please contact Susan.

SCHEDULE

Dragon Boat Dryland Training with Cindy
Monday 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am to 10:30am

Fitness with Brian
Wednesdays 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Thursday 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Chair Yoga with Candice
Thursday 12:00 noon to 1:00pm

Zoom Invites for all classes will be sent out no later than one hour prior to the class.
Please join us by replying to Susan’s email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca and indicate which class(s) you would like to join.

3. CANADIAN BLIND SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S Women’s Active Living Engagement Network

Canadian Blind Sports Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Women’s Active Living Engagement Network.

This network is for Canadians who identify as female and are blind, partially-sighted, deafblind or visually impaired with a desire to come together and share their personal aspirations and challenges of active living during this time of physical distancing and isolation.

Specific Active Living topics will be chosen according to Network participants’ needs and preferences as we connect with each other and Canadian Blind Sports members and partners to promote health and wellness through the pandemic and beyond.

We will kick off within the next few weeks with a telephone conversation about active living challenges and successes during these unprecedented times. Women together can be a strong collective voice, so spread the word!

If you would like to register or require additional assistance or more information, please email Marilyn Rushton at mrushton@shaw.ca or call 778.386.7951. We look forward to hearing from you!

4. Giftwrapping at Tsawwassen Mills Mall

Unfortunately, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, our giftwrapping fundraiser has been cancelled by the mall management, Thank you to all the volunteers who where scheduled to volunteer. We hope to be back next year to raise some much need funds for our programs and at the same time provide Tsawwassen Mill’s customers with a wonderful service. We appreciate the support we have received from the management and customers at Tsawwassen Mills.

Take care – We hope you are all doing well and staying safe and active. Please contact us if you need some activity suggestions as we move into the holiday season.

From all of us at BC Blind Sports
Stay Safe, Active and Connected to us!

In this Issue:

• Program Updates,
• Dragon Boat Virtual Dryland Training With Cindy – Second class added
• Virtual Fitness With Brian – No class on November 11th, 2020

PROGRAM UPDATES

Due to the orders given on Saturday November 7th from The Provincial Health Authorities, goalball practices have been cancelled until further notice. We will be sending out notices via email when we know more. At this time Tennis and Hockey are still scheduled, however we do anticipate more changes so please stay in touch and if you are unsure or need further details please contact the office before going to any programs.

DRAGON BOAT VIRTUAL DRYLAND TRAINING WITH CINDY – SECOND CLASS ADDED

Reminder – we now have classes on Tuesday mornings at 9:30am,

Our Monday night classes continue at the usual time 7:30pm.

Come Join us for the dryland training. All you need to do is reply to Susan’s email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca and indicate which class you would like to join or if you wish to do both you can sign up for both. The Zoom Invitations will be sent out no later than one hour prior to the class.

Paddles Up!!!!

VIRTUAL FITNESS WITH BRIAN – No class on November 11th

Please note there will be no class on Remembrance Day Wednesday November 11th, 2020. The Wednesday 2pm class will resume Wednesday November 18th..at its regular time.

Reminder – our new scheduled class will take place on Thursdays at 7pm.

Everyone is invited to join us in the Fitness Class with Brian, all levels are welcome. If you would like to join one or both of these programs reply to this email and I will put you on the invite list. Once on the list, you will receive an invite for your chosen class, unless you notify us otherwise. Zoom links for all classes will go out no later than one hour prior to the classes.

Again, please contact us by replying to susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca if you are unsure on the status of your program.

Stay Safe, stay connected.

Hello Members, welcome to November 2020

In this Issue:

1. Dragonboat Virtual Dryland Training with Cindy – A second class has been added.
2. Virtual Fitness with Brian – SCHEDULE CHANGE.
3. Sports back in play.
4. Volunteers Needed – Giftwrapping.

1. Dragonboat Virtual Dryland Training with Cindy – A second class has been added

Our Monday night class is going really well and we would like to give other team members the opportunity to try it out and join in, so we now have a Tuesday morning class at 9:30 am. We will run this class as a trial for the months of November and December and see what kind of response we get. If it proves to be successful and we get participants, we will continue it until March of 2021.

This program was put together to reunite team members and keep building on your technique and if all goes well get ready to start a new season next spring. We currently have members from the Ex-Sighted team (Langley) and Vision Impossible (Vancouver). We hope by adding the second class that there may be some interest from other teams to join in.

This class is for all levels of dragon boaters. This is a team sport and every seat is important. Imagine how much stronger your team will be if you improved your technique, strength, flexibility and Cardio during the off season. Cindy is excited to work with you and can’t wait to see how this training translates to a win in a race. To the current coaches and team managers we hope you will take part in this program and encourage your team members to take part in this opportunity.

Come Join us for the dryland training on Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and now our second class on Tuesday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30 am through Zoom. All you need to do is reply to Susan’s email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca and indicate which class you would like to join or if you wish to do both you can sign up for both. The Zoom Invitations will be sent out no later than one hour prior to the class.

Paddles Up!!!!

2. Virtual Fitness with Brian – SCHEDULE CHANGE

Please note we will be moving our Wednesday evening class from Wednesday 7pm to Thursday 7pm.

The Wednesday afternoon class at 2pm will stay the same.

Everyone is invited to join us in the Fitness Class with Brian, all levels are welcome. If you would like to join one or both of these programs reply to this email and I will put you on the invite list. Once on the list, you will receive an invite for your chosen class, unless you notify us otherwise. Zoom links for all classes will go out no later than one hour prior to the classes.

Classes will be approximately 40 min with a water break at about the 20 min mark. Also please have a sturdy chair to sit on.

We look forward to hearing from you to join our Fitness Class with Brian.

3. Sports back in play

As a reminder please note that you must register with a staff person from BC Blind Sports prior to coming to a program.

GOALBALL – Sunday nights 7pm to 9 pm.

HOCKEY – Friday from 11:15 am. to 12:30 pm.

TENNIS – Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm and requires specific instruction on registering and signing in and out. There is online registration or in person registration at the community centre. All participants must check in with the community centre and provide contact information.

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.

4. Volunteers Needed – Giftwrapping

As many of you know, Last year we had giftwrapping services at Tsawwassen Mills mall in Tsawwassen. The management team has invited us back for the 2020 holiday season, and we are preparing for giftwrapping in these COVID-19 times.

We are looking for volunteers to help with wrapping gifts and doing some customer service help, if you or someone you know would be interested in coming to help us we would love to hear from you.

We will have a protocol in place to help deal with COVID 19 and make it a safe place for volunteer. There may be some shuttle service to get there being offered by the Marketing Department at Tsawwassen Mills. Please consider coming out to join us and help us make our Giftwrapping Services at Tsawwassen Mills a great success.

The funds we raised will help us to deliver a number of sport and physical activity programs through BC Blind Sports.

If you would like to volunteer or need more information, please contact Susan Flanagan at susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca or Tami Grenon at
giftwrap@bcblindsports.bc.ca

Stay Safe, Active and Connected to Us !

Inside this Issue:

• A MESSAGE FROM SPORT BC – GET IN THE GAME!
• BACK TO Tennis, Goalball and Hockey
• VIRTUAL FITNESS AND VIRTUAL DRAGON BOAT FITNESS
• FACEBOOK
• AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL!!!!
• ParticipACTION 24-HOUR MOVEMENT GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GIFTWRAPPING

Below please find a non-partisan message from Sport BC regarding considering the future of sport in the upcoming BC Election. Also, here is a link to Sport BC’s webpage “Sport More Important than Ever” for additional information.

A MESSAGE FROM SPORT BC – GET IN THE GAME!

Join us and raise your voice for sport in this election.

• Sport BC knows the power of sport. We know that sport builds belonging, communities, friendships, leaders, healthy kids, connection, and resilience.
• Sport is more important than ever. Active communities contribute to British Columbians’ physical health, mental health, and wellness.
• Sport benefits everyone. This is a pan-partisan conversation. We are asking all the parties and candidates where they stand on Sport.

Join the Sport BC campaign and to find out what they are asking candidates: https://sportbc.com/sport-more-important-than-ever/

Back to Tennis, Goalball and Hockey:

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.

• TENNIS SCHEDULE CHANGE: Please note the time has changed for Tennis, it was originally held from 2pm to 3:30pm and now has moved to a new time 3:30pm to 5:00pm, it is still every Wednesday. Please check with the office for all details including specific instruction on registering and signing in and out.
• GOALBALL – practices will continue on Sunday nights 7pm to 9pm.
• HOCKEY – will continue every Friday from 11:15 to 12:30pm.
• VIRTUAL FITNESS AND VIRTUAL DRAGON BOAT FITNESS ARE STILL OPERATING

– contact Susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca for more details

FACEBOOK

– At this time our Facebook page is down. We will be up and running again as soon as possible.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL!!!!

BC Blind Sports is providing some ideas of types of activities that can be done in the home environment by people of any age. We have posted some ideas for physical activities on our BC Blind Sports website. Please select an activity that is appropriate to your age or the age of the participant, skill level, interests, and physical capabilities. You can start any time, so join us now and take this opportunity to build foundations of physical literacy and movement skills. You can also use these activities to meet the movement guidelines from ParticipAction noted below.

ParticipACTION 24-HOUR MOVEMENT GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS

(Excerpted from ParticipAction)

ParticipAction has just announce the arrival of Canada’s first ever 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults ! They were developed by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), the Public Health Agency of Canada, Queen’s University, ParticipACTION, and a network of researchers and stakeholders from across Canada.

These Guidelines offer clear direction on what a healthy 24 hours looks like for Canadian adults aged 18-64 years and 65 years or older, featuring a unique approach that doesn’t just focus on a single movement behaviour, but instead looks at how all they all integrate together. This is the first time there are recommendations on various types of physical activity woven together with guidance on sedentary and sleep behaviours for these age groups.

These Guidelines couldn’t come at a better time. Physical distancing measures and economic challenges have fueled unprecedented physical and mental stress for so many of us. We hope Canadians come to view these recommendations as an essential foundation for our overall health.

To help launch the Guidelines, ParticipACTION have created a communications toolkit comprised of social media posts, infographs and other content to help inform your networks.

Visit the ParticipAction Guidelines webpage for more resources and tips on how adults can stay active. To learn more about the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines visit csepguidelines.ca. Try using the BC Blind Sports “Opportunity for All” activities to help you meet the activity guidelines.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GIFTWRAPPING

As most of you know last year we had a giftwrapping booth at Tsawwassen Mills mall in Tsawwassen. The management team has invited us back for the 2020 holiday season. We have the opportunity to once again raise funds for our programs. We would like you to be a part of it? Volunteers are a very important part of this event.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers that like wrapping presents – organize things. Come join us, we need you to help us service the booth at Tsawwassen Mills Shopping Centre.

Volunteers will be responsible for wrapping presents, keeping track of the number of presents wrapped and taking in the donations. We need 2 to 4 volunteers for each shift. The shifts will be 4hrs each. COVID measures will be in place.

DATE: November 27th to December 24th 2020
LOCATION – Gift Wrapping Services
Tsawwassen Mills Centre at 5000 Canoe Way, Tsawwassen
TRAINING – All first time volunteers must attend a training session prior to volunteering. These sessions will be at Tsawwassen Mills..

SIGN UP TODAY! – Email Tami at giftwrapbc@blindsports.bc.ca to register for training, you will receive a schedule of available dates for training sessions and shifts to choose from.

Thank you for considering volunteering at our Giftwrapping booth at Tsawwassen Mills. If you, someone you know, or if you have a group of people who would be interested in volunteering please contact Tami or Susan by email giftwrap@bcblindsports.bc.ca or phone at 604-321-1638. We will then provide you with additional information on training sessions and help answer any other question.

Please Contact Us: If you have any questions about any of our programs please contact the office. We look forward to when we can be back to regular programs, in the meantime please keep in touch and stay as active as you can.

THE BCBSRA Staff, Jane, Mike, David, Susan

Inside this Issue:

• BC Blind Sports Annual General Meeting
• Two BC Athletes on the Long List for CBSA Goalball Team
• BC Blind Sports Executive Director, Jane Blaine, Recognized by the BC Sports Hall of Fame
• Sports Returning to Play
• Dragon Boat – Dryland Training with Cindy
• Virtual Fitness with Brian
• Fundraising through Giftwrapping

1. BC Blind Sports Annual General Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual AGM.

The Nominating Committee Report was circulated to all members.
The organization thanked Darren Douma for his service on the board over the past number of years, Darren is leaving the board but we are sure he will be back someday. He will remain as our Sport Commissioner for Golf, and our representative to BC Golf.

Two new members are joining the board, Nancy Leung and Carolyn Gunn, both were welcomed by the existing board and membership.

Nancy is from Burnaby and has been involved with BC Blind Sports through her son who is blind and has taken part in many of our programs. Nancy has worked with our junior and provincial goalball teams as well as being one of the managers for the Dragons Insight team.

Carolyn is from Nanaimo and has been involved with organizing our Seniors Fitness program in Nanaimo for a number of years. She is active in recruiting new members as well as volunteers. She volunteers in her community and has served on boards with organizations in the blind community as well as with other organizations.

2. Two BC Athletes on the Long List for CBSA Goalball Team

Two BC Athletes on the Long List for the Canadian Blind Sports Goalball Team which will compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games (in 2021)

On September 28, James Thompson, Canadian Blind Sports High Performance Director, announced the long list for the upcoming Paralympic Games – Tokyo 2020.

He also said that between now and the final selection announcement on the 24th May 2021, all the athletes will be working hard to earn their spot on the team to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

With only six spots available on the team to Tokyo 2020, competition for places will be high.

The Long List is as follows:
1. Abeer Hammad (AB)
2. Amy Burk (ON)
3. Brieann Baldock (AB)
4. Emma Reinke (ON)
5. Genevieve Hart (ON)
6. Haley Olinyk (BC)
7. Maryam Salehizadeh (BC)
8. Meghan Mahon (AB)
9. Tiana Knight (AB)
10. Whitney Bogart (ON)

Congratulations and Good luck Haley and Maryam!

3. BC Blind Sports Executive Director, Jane Blaine, Recognized by the BC Sports Hall of Fame

Jane Blaine has been awarded the Eric Whitehead Inspired Service Award by the BC Sports Hall of Fame. The announcement came during the Hall’s virtual Annual Summit held on Sept. 18, 2020.

The award, given annually in partnership with the BC Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, recognizes “inspired service in and to sport in B.C.”

Jane has been involved in programming, education and administration of para and blind sport for over 40 years. Through her work with BC Blind Sports, her experience covers all stages of participation from beginning movement in infants, early motor learning, development of fundamental movement skills, PE, competition, high performance, and promotion of sport for a lifetime and healthy active lifestyles.

Jane is also the CEO of Canadian Blind Sports. She is co-author of our parent’s resource ‘Encouraging Physical Activity for Preschoolers with Visual Impairment’ as well as “Being a Sport Guide”; both published by BC Blind Sports. She was also instrumental in the development of a “Pathway in Sport and Physical Activity for Canadians who are Blind” showing how individuals who are blind or partially sighted enter physical activity and move through the stages of long term athlete/participant development in sport and physical activity.

Since 2009 Jane has served as the Sport Technical Committee Chairperson with World Para Swimming (formerly IPC Swimming) (under the International Paralympic Committee), and since 2002 on the Sport Technical Committee of the International Blind Sports Federation. She volunteers with various disability groups and community organizations including Sport Ability BC (Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of BC. Jane’s values include ensuring programs and systems are fun, safe, inclusive, ethically sound, equitable, and based on participant input and available evidence.

In Jane’s acceptance speech she recognized the athletes, participants, volunteers, families, staff, and board members she has had the privilege to work with over the years as well as acknowledging how much she continues to learn from everyone involved in BC Blind Sports.

CONGRATULATIONS JANE on receiving this award!!! Your dedication, commitment and extensive contributions to sport and disability sport in BC as well as at the national and international levels is truly appreciated.

4. Sports Returning to Play

Please note you must register with a staff person from BC Blind Sports prior to coming to a program. We are excited to announce that the following sports have returned:

• GOALBALL – practices will continue on Sunday nights 7pm to 9pm.
• HOCKEY – will continue every Friday from 11:15 to 12:30pm.
• TENNIS – practices are now on Wednesdays from 2pm to 3:30pm and requires specific instruction on registering and signing in and out. There is online registration or in person registration at the community centre. All participants must check in with the community centre and provide contact information.

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.

5. Dragon Boat – Dryland Training with Cindy

This is open to all members of our dragon boat teams

This program has been put together to reunite team members and keep building on your technique and if all goes well get ready to start a new season next spring. Cindy has coached the Sonar Dragons team in Kelowna, is a certified fitness instructor with BCRPA, and is certificate in Health Coaching.

This class is for all levels of dragon boaters. This is a team sport and every seat is important. Imagine how much stronger your team will be if you improved your technique, strength, flexibility and Cardio during the off season. Cindy is excited to work with you and can’t wait to see how this training translates to a win in a race.

Come Join us for the dryland training on Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm through Zoom. All you need to do is reply susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca by 4pm on Mondays and she will put you on the Zoom Invitation list. The zoom invite will be sent out by 6pm each Monday evening.

Paddles Up!!!!

6. Virtual Fitness with Brian

Everyone is invited to join us in the Fun and Fitness Class with Brian, we are now offering 2 classes on Wednesdays, at 2pm and at 7pm. If you would like to join one or both of these programs contact BCBSRA and Susan will put you on the invite list. Once on the list, we will keep you on the list and you will receive invites for both classes, unless you notify us otherwise. Invites for the 2pm class will be sent by 12 noon and the 7pm class will receive invites by 5pm every Wednesday.

Classes will be approximately 40 min and we will have a water break at about the 20 min mark. Also please have a sturdy chair to sit on.

For questions or problems with Zoom please contact Susan on her Cell phone at 604-790-4174 as she may be doing the Zoom call remotely from outside of the office. We look forward to hearing from you to join our Fun and Fitness Class.

7. Fundraising through Giftwrapping

As many of you know, we raised funds over the past 13 years by providing volunteers to operate the giftwrapping booth at Oakridge Centre. Oakridge is going through a building phase and renovations and many of the stores have closed until the fall of 2024 in order to speed up the renovation process. We greatly appreciate the support of the Oakridge customers and management over the past 13 years as well as the many volunteers who supported our operation there. To all of you who volunteered and/or supported us by bringing gifts to be wrapped and making contributions in the past at Oakridge Centre in our Festive Season Gift Wrapping Booth, we couldn’t’ have done it without you! The funds we raised helped us to deliver a number of sport and physical activity programs through BC Blind Sports.

Last year we had a giftwrapping booth at Tsawwassen Mills mall in Tsawwassen. The management team has invited us back for the 2020 holiday season, and we are preparing for giftwrapping in these COVID-19 times.

We are looking for volunteers if you are interested in coming out to Tsawwassen. We will have a protocol to deal with COVID 19 and there may be some shuttle service being offered by the Marketing Department at Tsawwassen Mills. Please consider coming out to join us and help us make our Giftwrapping Booth at Tsawwassen Mills a great success.

If you would like to volunteer or need more information, or would like to receive additional details, please contact Susan Flanagan at susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca or Tami Grenon at giftwrap@bcblindsports.bc.ca

Stay Safe, Well, and Active and Connected to Us !