To Allow For Sighted Players to Compete In USABA Adult Regional Tournaments

This is a petition to allow for the inclusion of sighted players into the sport of Goalball at adult regional tournaments. The goal of this is to show support in allowing non blind or visually impaired individuals to compete along their blind peers.

In allowing sighted players in the game we have the ability to:

• Increase the level of competition within the sport
• Opening the door to bringing the sport into mainstream athletics
• Broadening the level of funds into the USABA and into state branches for blind athletic organizations
• Counteracting the learning curve of Goalball for developing teams
• Allowing for easier transportation and mobility in getting to tournaments before and during

The list goes on and on, but these are the biggest reasons sighted players can help the sport as a whole. The goal of this is to make our sport legitimate in the eyes of everyone, not just those who participate in it. It is our sport, the ones who play and compete; not the ownership of those who watch over the game. Goalball is what we make it, currently a game for blind and visually impaired persons; which makes us look like we cannot compete against sighted athletes.

This is from Article 2 section 8 of the USABA current Bi-Laws:

“Section 8. To promote and organize activities in which visually impaired individuals participate or compete with their sighted peers.”

With this saying so, there is no need for this action on the part of us the players, but this is flawed logic to USABA. We need to show that we as the players of Goalball support the idea of sighted individuals playing the game. We do this through outlets like petitions, writing letters, and staying in constant contact and not forgetting the goal. We have the USA-Goalball list through Google groups, but when we are together this needs to be discussed, plans need to be created and we the players need to formulate a voice so we are heard in USA Goalball. We are the ones who play; we pay to go to tournaments, dedicate time to training, and put it all on the line during weekend tournaments. Players are what make the sport a sport, it is to us who participate, but do we want more than that?

By signing the petition you are supporting the idea of sighted people becoming involved as players in USA Goalball. In doing so you are showing your support of this to USABA, telling our governing body that we want everyone included in Goalball, we want the sport to grow and become legitimate as a sport for all. Specifically for this petition it is to allow for a minimum of 1 sighted player on a team, allowing them to play at any USABA adult regional tournament. A foot in the door to get more people involved in the game, and to make it better for everyone involved. By signing your name to this you agree with this idea and purpose; but you don’t have to stop there. AS many know I am also collecting letters to show strong support for this idea, to show how much we care about this game and how much we all want it to grow. Signing this is the least you can do, writing a letter outlining your feelings and how strongly you feel is the best way to show how you feel.

This is not limited to just the players of the game, we all hold positions in Goalball, none of which are exclusive in moving the sport forward. Coaches and referees hold important parts in moving Goalball forward, your signatures are equally important as the players who sign this. All directly involved in our sport need to come together, we make this game what it is, and it is we who have the ability to make changes to move it into the future.

Jhonathan A. Searles