Utah Girls—USA National Goalball Champions!
Congratulations Girls
Salt Lake Goalball Practices for 2024
Hosted by the Utah Foundation for the Blind
and Visually Impaired
The
following practices have been scheduled for visually impaired and blind
students of all ages plus adults. Everyone is invited to come participate whether
or not you have played before. Practices will be held at the Copperview
Recreation Center, 8446 South Harrison Street (300 W), Midvale, UT 84047. (We are trying to
add additional February practices if we can locate an available gym.)
Dates: Saturdays
January 6
January 13
January 20
March 9
March 16
March 23
April 13
April 20
(State
Tournament Friday April 26, 8:30 to 4:00)
Times
1st -- 6th Grades: 12:30 to 1:30 PM
7th -- 12th Grades: 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Adults: 2:30 to 4:00 PM
(High school students may also practice with
adults with coaches’ permission.)
There is no cost for
participation except that we ask each participant to have their own eye shades.
We have many new and used eye shades for sale beginning at $5 each. They can be
purchased when you come to practice.
State
Tournament for children and youth
Friday
April 26th
Goalball is a great sport for blind and visually impaired persons and is played
throughout the world. There are many physical, social, and emotional benefits
for players participating. We will be working with people of all skill levels
so come try it even if you don't know what goalball is.
For
additional information contact Marty Langworthy or Rachel Jepson.
Hosted by the Utah Foundation for the Blind
and Visually Impaired (UFB)
Goalball
is the most popular team sport for the blind and visually impaired. It is fun,
exciting, and competitive. Over the last 25 plus years the Utah Foundation for
the Blind has had hundreds of players enjoy the many benefits of participating
in goalball. Like basketball, soccer, and other sports for the sighted,
goalball provides many benefits for blind and visually impaired participants
physically, emotionally and socially. It helps improve physical fitness, motor
skills, coordination, strength, self-confidence, social skills, peer
interactions, character development, and much more. It also helps reduce
stress, tension, and anxiety. Many students and parents have given feedback
about how goalball has literally been a life changer and how it has helped
their school performance and helped prepare them for college and careers.
UFB
has some of the best coaches in the country who work with those who have never
played before as well as very experienced and skilled players. All you have to
do is show up at any of the practices and we will take care of the rest.
Our goalball
season begins in January with practices throughout the state. This is followed
by a one day, state-wide tournament for children and youth. Players look
forward to this tournament all year. Following the state tournament the top
youth players are selected for the Utah boys and girls teams. These players
continue training in preparation to compete against teams from other states and
represent Utah at the US National Youth Goalball Championships. We have a
similar program for adult players. Over the last 20 years UFB’s teams have won
nine national championship titles and many of our players have earned
individual honors.
Don’t miss out!
Come have a great time playing goalball.
Goalball Incentive Program
The
Utah Foundation for the Blind (UFB) is trying to grow our goalball program. We
are happy to announce a fun incentive for teachers of the visually
impaired/orientation & Mobility instructors, and current goalball players
to help us introduce this wonderful sport to more people. We are going to be
giving away numerous Amazon gift cards.
In
order to participate you must be a current goalball player (as of last year) or
a Teacher of the visually impaired or Orientation & Mobility Instructor.
For each new goalball player you bring to at least three practices both you and
the new player will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
To
qualify for this incentive the new players must have a vision impairment. The
new players can have played goalball in the past, but may not have attended any
practices last year. The new player and the current player must be in 1st grade
through 12th grades. The new players must attend at least three one hour
practices at a UFB established practice between January and April of this year.
New players must be able to pay attention to a coach and follow the rules of
the game for the entire hour.
To
participate and claim your gift card(s) you must email Jalayne Engberg at and let her know
your name, email, and the name of the new player who attended practices with
you and their email. Please put “Goalball
incentive” in the subject line. For each
new player that attends three one-hour or longer practices, you and that player
will receive a $10 gift certificate to Amazon.
You can bring as many new players as you want as long as they meet the
criteria listed above.