Going great guns with goalball
24 November
At the recent Oceania/Africa group Paralympic qualifiers in Sydney, the Kiwi men and women teams tried to win a spot at the games in London 2012.
While neither team won a game during the tournament, they both competed very well. The men came close to causing upsets on a couple of occasions, but unfortunately let the lead slip away. The women exceeded all expectations and pushed the 4th best team in the world hard, going down in an incredible 6-2 performance.
Star players include Charles Tauhore, who scored 15 goals over the course of the tournament, while Annie Pesamino in the womens team scored 4 goals in her first international series. For the record, the final was won by Algeria 5-4 in golden goal extra time, after fighting back from a 4-0 deficit.
9 November
The Goalball National Championships were held this week, a hot contest.
Mens teams Auckland Blue and Auckland White were up against the Wombats from Australia. Both Auckland teams were performing equally well, but it was Auckland Blue in the final. However the Wombats came out on top for the second consecutive year.
For the women, it was a two team battle between traditional foes Auckland and Canterbury. It was played as a best of 5 series which came down to the last game. The Auckland girls took out the last game and retained their title!
We now have New Zealand men’s and women’s teams heading off Sydney to attempt to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympics!
Learn more about the game times and live coverage online.
5 September
Though World Cup fever is taking New Zealand by storm, sportspeople of other creeds are getting on with what they do best, and our goalball players are no exception.
This November in Sydney, a tournament will determine the Australasia / Africa group qualifiers to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics.
In preparation for this, the wider NZ men's squad gathered in August to vie for a place in the team. After a hotly contested process, the following players have been selected: Jason Griffiths (Auckland), Michael Law (Auckland), Steve Rawiri (Auckland), Paihau Solomon (Taupo), Hamish Tahana (Napier), Charles Tauhore (Auckland).
A women's team has also been named to test their mettle against an Australian team ranked fourth in the world. These brave ladies include: Kellie Dore (Auckland), Jo Frogatt (Christchurch), Annie Pesamino (Auckland), Dallas Phillips (Auckland), Sharleen Tongalea (Auckland). Coach: Carina Duke (Christchurch).
We look forward to following their progress!
A bit about goalball
Goalball is a unique team sport for blind and partially sighted people, played by two teams of three players. Players are blindfolded to enable blind and partially sighted athletes to compete together.
Goalball was invented for sport and rehabilitation for blind veterans after World War II. The ball weighs 1.25 kg and contains bells which make a noise when the ball is moving. The aim is to roll the ball over the opponent's goal line using a bowling action.