THE NWABA BULLITON
January, 2009
Powerlifters Succeed at WABDL World Championships!
The Northwest
Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is pleased to announce that four members
of our Regional Powerlifting Team have returned from the World Association of
Benchers and Deadlifters World Championships in
The Team consisted
of Head Coach Billy Henry (
“Our team practiced
for several months to prepare for this competition, and it proved to be
successful on the platform” said Head Powerlifting Coach Billy Henry
The Powerlifting
Team would like to thank everyone for supporting us to this competition; your
support truly enriches lives.
Calling all Volunteers!
NWABA relies on
Volunteers to help keep our organization operational. Currently we are seeking
volunteers for the following activities and positions:
Volunteer to serve
on the Board of Directors
Help with
Transportation of Athletes to and from practice and competitions.
Volunteer at
Fundraising Events
Volunteer your
services to help offset our operating costs.
Message from the Board
President
Dear Friends,
Over the last few
months, our athletes have continued to excel in there sports of choice. In
October, we hosted a Conference on Sports and Recreation that demonstrated
various sports and there adaptations to High School students in
To continue to
achieve our mission, and help our athletes achieve there dreams we need your
assistance. We are gaining more athletes every month, and can not help all of
them because of our financial position. Please consider making a donation to
help us provide opportunities in sports. To achieve all of our goals this year,
we need to raise $25,000. Any support that you could provide would be much appreciated.
Donations can be sent in the enclosed envelope.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Wilks,
Board President
Athlete Profile - Andrew
McDonald
Andrew McDonald, 16
lives in
In November he
participated in the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters World
Powerlifting Championships where he took home second and third place trophies.
Andrew would like to eventually compete with the USA Blind Powerlifting Team
and hopefully compete in the Paralympics some day!
What is Goalball?
In Goalball, two
teams of three players each face each other across a court that is nine meters
wide and 18 meters long. The object of the game is to roll a basketball size
ball with bells inside over the opponent's goal line. Your opponents listen for
the oncoming ball and attempt to block it with their bodies. Once they are able
to stop the ball and take control of it, they become the offensive team.
Goalball is a
Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually impaired.
Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it
has become the premiere team game for blind athletes. Played competitively by
men and women, it is a very fast paced, physically challenging, strategic and
exciting game.
NWABA Membership Levels
Below is a list of
the membership levels NWABA offers. Being a member enables you to participate
on a NWABA Competitive Team, Volunteer at events and meet other blind and
visually impaired athletes who compete in the same sports as you do!
Students Shine at Conference on
Sports and Recreation
NWABA is proud to
announce that 21 Blind and Visually impaired students from across Washington
State participated in the 6th Annual Conference for Blind Youth sponsored by WA
Council of the Blind, Washington Department of Services f/t Blind and NWABA.
Students
participated in many sports and rec activities during the weekend conference.
On Friday, they participated in judo, board games, and social dancing &
bowling. Saturday they participated in Goalball and rowing. Participants
learned the history and rules for the sport of Goalball, then went through
drills and eventually were divided into teams for a tournament. Goalball is a
Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually impaired.
Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it
has become the premiere team game for blind athletes. Played competitively by
men and women, it is a very fast paced, physically challenging, strategic and
exciting game.
“I am happy to say
that this conference was a success, Students were able to learn how to play
sports, and what adaptations are needed” said
Successful 1st Annual Benefit
Concert
We are pleased to
announce that our latest event was a tremendous success. On January 12th a
benefit concert was held in downtown
Over $1,500 was
raised to help support the mission of the Northwest Association for Blind
Athletes. The funds raised at this event will provide the opportunity to
continue the advancement of the organization as a 501 © 3 organization and
provide scholarships for blind and visually impaired athletes to attend
upcoming sports competitions.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR
MAKING THIS EVENT A SUCESS!