February 26 to 28: Paralympic game of goalball introduced to community

The local community, including elementary, secondary and university students, will be introduced to goalball from February 26 to 28, 2012. Goalball is a paralympic sport played exclusively by athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Kyle Pelly, Executive Director of the Ontario Blind Sports Association, will host a series of presentations aimed at creating awareness of the sport.

A collaborative effort of the CNIB, Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic District School Board, the sport will be showcased in a workshop session followed by a mini tournament played by the audience. The long-term objective is to establish a goalball league in Sudbury.

Kyle Pelly has a life-long love for sports and physical activity. After graduating from Brock University with a Bachelor of Sport Management, Pelly spent time working with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and various sports and social clubs in Toronto. He has been coaching club basketball for over four years and plans to continue this for as long as he can.

His involvement with the Ontario Blind Sports Association has allowed him to work with various groups of visually impaired and blind people, spreading the word about the importance of physical activity and providing sporting opportunities for everyone.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:



Sunday, February 26, 2012
CNIB Family Fun Day in Sudbury
11 am to 12 pm – Jungle Gym Gymnastics Club, 2167 Armstrong Street, Sudbury
12:30 pm to 2 pm – CNIB, 303 York Street, Sudbury
Lunch
Sports Awareness Workshop with Kyle Pelly, Ontario Blind Sports Association and
   Ryan Van Praet, 2011 Canadian National ParaTriathlon Olympic Distance Champion
Sports Club Fair and information booths
2:30 pm to 4 pm – Walden Cross Country Fitness Club, 1 Denis Avenue, Lively

All events at the CNIB Family Fun Day are provided at no cost and are a great way for the community to meet other families raising children who are blind or partially sighted while having fun. Financial assistance for the cost of travelling is available to families if needed. Call CNIB toll free at 1-888-675–2468 to register or to request more information.

Monday, February 27, 2012
9 am to 10:30 am – St. James Catholic School, 280 Anderson St., Lively
1 pm to 2:15 pm – Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury
(Ben F. Avery Centre where the pool is located. They gym is located near lot 15 parking.)
3 pm to 4 pm – CNIB, 303 York Street Sudbury (Awareness workshop for staff)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012
9 am to 10:30 am – Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, 539 Francis Street, Hanmer
12:20 pm to 1:30 pm – Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, 275 Loach’s Road, Sudbury

Ryan Van Praet is the 2011 Canadian National ParaTriathlon Olympic Distance Champion. He is a parasport consultant, speaker and professional paratriathlete. Despite being born with a degenerative eye disease that left him with six per cent of his vision and will ultimately leave him blind, he has endeavoured to be the voice that speaks loudly for the abilities of challenged athletes. 

He obtained a Kinesiology degree, created a non-profit event series, been a veteran of a 14-year triathlon career and is now a passionate role model for all Canadians who face challenges. His goal is to continue to develop as an athlete and as a contributing member of society so that one day his legacy can be as a “difference maker”, an “Ironman” and perhaps a “Paralympic medalist for Canada in triathlon 2016”.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.