The Adelaide Crows Foundation recently invited a group of vision-impaired athletes into the Club to give football a try.
In partnership with Blind Sport SA, the AFL and the SANFL, the Adelaide Crows Foundation hosted two come-and-try clinics for blind and partially blind participants.
Participants were taught basic football skills and learned the rules of the AFL Blind Football competition.
The competition uses sounds to assist the players, including a buzzer inside the football and shakers that rattle when the ball enters the scoring zone.
Crows AFL and AFLW players got involved, teaching participants football skills and learning what it’s like to play football with impaired vision.
Currently, there is no AFL Blind Football competition in South Australia, but the initial clinics will help Blind Sport SA and the SANFL discover the need in the community for such a competition to be created.
Crows AFLW player Niamh Kelly said the come-and-try sessions were a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the Blind Football competition.
“It’s a great opportunity for those who are blind or visually impaired to come out and give footy go and we are learning lots from them as well,” Kelly said.
“We had a go with blindfolds on, it’s so hard to try and pick up the footy so we can’t even imagine what it’s like for these kids, so it’s great to come out and get a look into their world.
“By holding these come and try sessions, we hope it can kickstart a competition here in South Australia.”
