South Australian Blind Athletes Club Inc.
Overview
Athletics is the most widespread I.B.S.A. sport, practised in international competitions by more than 70 countries.
Competition is organised according to the I.B.S.A. Classification System, using all three classes - B1, B2 and B3. The rules of the International Athletic Associations Federation (IAAF) are followed for a range of traditional Athletics events that is more or less complete except for events such as the Hurdles races, the Steeplechase, and the Pole Vault. IAAF Rules are followed in their entirety by the class B3 athletes, but there are necessary modifications in the case of the more severe visual impairments - Class B2 and B1. Some of these modifications involve adjustments to the Athletics facilities, or to the way in which they are used. Most of the modifications regulate the way in which these classes may be given assistance (by running guides, for example, or by callers supplying auditory guidance in field events) to enable them to perform in authentic competition.
Athletics competitions for Blind and Visually Impaired athletes have a long history, and since the formation of I.B.S.A. in 1981 there has been a regular program of international competition at a continental and world level.
Under I.B.S.A. auspices, Blind athletes competed in Paralympic Games in Long Island (1984), Seoul (1988), Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).
I.B.S.A. conducted its first multi-sport World Championships in Madrid in 1998, and in this event, as in the 2nd I.B.S.A. World Championships and Games in Quebec City in 2003, Athletics was the blue riband sport.
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Sight Classification Testing Information Sheet
AWD Implement Weights for Competition under Athletics Australia Rules
Club Report
Dear SABAC Members,
At of the Annual General Meeting, held at Townsend House 14th September 2008, a new Committee and Executive has been elected. They are as follows:
President: Damien Henderson
Vice President: Sarnya Moss
Treasurer: Heidi Meakins
Secretary: Sam Rickard
Committee: Matt Heupauff
Brad Henderson
Chloe Parker
Jenny Flood
Lee Cox
As of this time Association Delegates have not been finalised, as previous delegates for Cycling and Judo are currently competing at the Paralympics.
Training recommences for the Townsend Oval group on the 11th October 2008, warm-up for senior athletes at 10.00am, Junior Athletes at 10.30am. Anyone is welcome, as we will be doing Time Trial races on that day. The following week will be taken by Dennis Lorenzin, former SA representative in the Decathlon.
For any further information on upcoming events, or assistance from the Club, please don’t hesitate to contact either myself, or any of the other Committee members.
Yours in Sport,
Sam Rickard
Club Secretary
Saturday February 2nd saw the 3rd Blind Sports SA Sports Awards.
Over 50 people were in attendance to acknowledge the sporting achievements of the Association's Club's members. The awards were Mc'd by Heidi Meakins and Matt Haeppauff who entertained the audienced, who also heard some stories from the Paralympians who were present: Sam Rickard (Athletics), Warren McKennariey (Athletics), Sarnya Moss (Cycling), Lee Cox (Athletics), Penny Bennett (Goalball) and amputee athlete Neil Fuller (Athletics).
In the four categories, Best Newcomer, Most Outstanding Team, Junior Sportsperson and the Sportsperson of the Year, the judges had a difficult time in selecting the eventual winners.
Judges; Graham McArtur (Cando4Kids), Peter Greco (Radio 5RPH), Pam Brooks (S.G Kerley & Associates), Tony Piccolo MP and Graham Manou (Adelaide Redbacks) were asked to rank each of the nominees.
The Most Outstanding Team of the Year was presented by Lawn Bowls Club Patron, Frances Bedford MP to a very surprised but jubilant Cricket Team after equalling their best ever performance at a National Championships (4th), edging out the Indoor Bias Bowls and Lawn Bowls Teams
Members of the cricket Team: Shane Sandford, Mark Haskett, Michael Zannis and Josie Parisi accept their Award.
The Best Newcomer Award was presented by to 10-year old Sophie Patton in Athletics by Tony Piccolo MP. Sophie is a promising junior training with the Southern squad with the other nominees being Brian Cameron (Indoor Bowls) and Val Hubber (Swimming).
The Junior Sportsperson Award was a very close decision with the winner Kieran Murphy (Swimming)
just edging out past winner Brad Henderson (Powerlifting) and Charlotte McKennariey (Athletics).
Athletes club President Damien Henderson accepts the Award for Junior Sportsperson of the Year Kieran Murphy from Life Member Dennis Lorenzin.
Kieran was unavailable as he was competing at a swimming carnival in Clare.
In the Sportsperson of the Year, 6 outstanding nominations were received; Colin Priestley (Powerlifting), Eleanor Tucker (Indoor Bowls), Des Warner (Ten Pin Bowling), Susan Earles (Ten Pin Bowling), Peter Healey (Lawn Bowls) and Mark Haskett (Cricket). After winning 2 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze at the IBSA World Ten Pin Bowling Championships, Susan Earles was a worthy winner of Sportsperson of the Year Award.
