The Medibank Community Fund is continuing to support Blind Sports Victoria (BSV) raise awareness of disability in sport by sponsoring their entry into this year’s Medibank Melbourne Marathon.
A team of 30 blind and vision impaired members of the Blind Sports Victoria family will be running in the five kilometre section of the marathon to raise awareness and vital funds to create participation opportunities for adults with vision impairment to play blind football (soccer).
Medibank Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Rita Marigliani said the sponsorship in this year’s Melbourne Marathon was another way Medibank was supporting Blind Sports Victoria to fulfil their dream.
“When Blind Sports Victoria applied for a Medibank Community Grant this year their dream was to create a weekly soccer program where blind and vision impaired children could participate in regular sport and experience the social and physical benefits of being in a team,” said Ms Marigliani.
“We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to help Blind Sports Victoria make that dream a reality and we hope that with continued community support, team sport can be made more accessible for all blind and vision impaired people and the one in five Australians currently living with a disability.”
Dave Connolly, Blind Sports Victoria BSV Blind and Vision Impaired Football Coordinator is going one step further entering into the half marathon as a guide runner to Tom Bevan, the co-founder of Social Goal, a start-up social enterprise that aims to increase adult access and participation in sport for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the community.
Mr Bevan will be running blindfolded to help raise awareness and funds for both Blind Sports Victoria and Social Goal’s unique blind sports programs.
“Together we are hoping to achieve the type of accessibility that sighted people have to team sport and break down the barriers that prevent blind and vision impaired children and adults from being physically active,” said Mr Connolly, who is also a co-founder of Social Goal.
“Medibank has been such a great supporter of what we do and we’re really excited that those involved in the blind and vision impaired football project have been given the opportunity to actively participate in a big community event like the Melbourne marathon.”
Show your support for Blind Sport Victoria in this year’s Medibank Melbourne Marathon by donating to https://www.mycause.com.au/charity/6454/BlindSportsVictoria. All funds raised are used to develop blind football programs in Victoria.
About Blind Sports Victoria
Blind Sports Victoria was awarded a $10,846 Medibank Community Grant in June 2014 to fund ‘MiniRoos’ a weekly soccer program for blind and vision impaired children in Preston. The program was the first of its kind in Australia and gives blind and vision impaired children the opportunity to pay alongside sighted players at local clubs and gain confidence, resilience and self-esteem. Due to the programs resounding success at a junior level, Blind Sports Victoria is working to create soccer initiatives for adults with a disability and is teaming up with Social Goal to make that happen.
‘MiniRoos’ blind and vision impaired program in action in Preston, Victoria.