Players should plan to arrive between 10am and 10:15am.

The session commences at 10:30am and runs for 1.5 hours until 12noon

The dates for 2023 are as follows:

• Sun, 21 May 2023
• Sun, 04 Jun 2023
• Sun, 18 Jun 2023
• Sun, 09 Jul 2023
• Sun, 23 Jul 2023
• Sun, 13 Aug 2023
• Sun, 27 Aug 2023
• Sun, 10 Sep 2023
• Sun, 24 Sep 2023

The South Melbourne FC Blind Football Team trains on a regular basis to prepare players for National Team Training Camps and for the future introduction of a competitive league. The squad trains under a
qualified Blind Football coach on a fortnightly basis between April and September. All training is overseen by Australian Blind Football to ensure our players can reach the highest standard they can.

Whilst we actively support our players to reach the standard to join the national squad, we place a greater emphasis on welcoming new players to the sport. Not everyone wants to play competitively so we provide an environment for social football and those who want to learn the game.

We have a number of participants, including children, who are trying the sport for the first time or join us for some casual activities. To achieve this we run free come-and-try sessions at least monthly in Albert Park.

Melbourne, Victoria

There is currently no opportunities for competitive Blind Football in Victoria. As the sport continues to grow and participation numbers increase the potential for competitive games may eventuate. South Melbourne FC runs regular Blind Football sessions to enable participants to try the sport first time and then to continue training and developing their skills if it interests them.

Australia

The team at Australian Blind Football are establishing a National Blind Football Series that would allow teams from various states to be able to play competitively. The first two teams in the National Blind Football Series are South Melbourne FC and Brisbane Olympics FC. Perth SC and Adelaide Comets are existing football clubs who have invested in the Australian Blind Football program and may join the league. The National Blind Football Series matches are held during National Team Training Camps in Melbourne.

South Melbourne FC is the inaugural National Blind Football Champions.

International

Australian Blind Football in conjunction with the Australian Paralympic Committee conducts multiple National Training Camps throughout the year. Based in Melbourne, these camps provide the opportunity for players to train at an advanced level and push for selection as part of the national squad.

The Australian National team has the opportunity to compete at the following events:

• 2022 IBSA Blind Football Asian Championships
• 2023 IBSA Blind Football World Championships
• 2023 IBSA Partially Sighted Football World Championships
• Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Blind Football (B1) is an internationally recognised sport played at the Paralympics. It is played outdoors by athletes who are totally blind (B1) on a 40m x 20m pitch with side kickboards and an audible ball. There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight and the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.

There is no special equipment required to participate in All Abilities Football. We train and play on a synthetic grass surface so there is no need to wear football boots. Participants only need to wear runners or sports shoes and wear clothing they are comfortable in to try a sport.

In competition, outfield players wear eye-shades to ensure equality across all players. Where required these will be provided by Australian Blind Football.

South Melbourne FC will provide registered players with a training jersey or a full playing kit depending on their level of participation.

Football Victoria

There is an annual player registration fee levied by Football Victoria. This player registration fee provides insurance cover for players. South Melbourne FC incorporates this fee as part of the players club registration fee, and makes the payment to Football Victoria on the players behalf.

South Melbourne FC

South Melbourne FC subsidises the playing costs for Blind Football players to reduce barriers to them participating in the sport. This fee for 2022 is of $50 and is payable at the time of registration through the Football Australia Play Football website. This may be claimable under the players NDIS plan.

We welcome all ages, all genders and all abilities to join us.

We encourage anyone interested in knowing more to come along to any of training sessions to understand what its all about. This is free and you are under no obligation to participate or join in. All of our players and volunteers are happy to have a chat and share their experiences.

You can keep up-to-date with the teams activities on their Facebook page and you can send us a message with any questions you may have.

Paul Wade Field, Albert Park

Paul Wade Field, known as synthetic field 7-8 is a multi lined and multi purpose full sized synthetic field used by various sports including soccer and touch football. The field is booked by the club with Parks Victoria for our sessions giving us exclusive use of the whole pitch, even if we only use a small portion of it. At all other times the field is available for public use.

The field is a dog off-leash area only when not being used for sporting activities or events. We have not experienced any issues with dogs or other animals interrupting our sessions.

There is no building or pavilion at this field. This means there is no changeroom or protection from adverse weather. There are male, female and disabled access public toilets which are open on weekends at the adjacent Cox McKenzie Pavilion which is approximately 200m walk from the field.

Parking:

Parking is available on Aughtie Drive which is adjacent to the field and a 50m walk. It is necessary to purchase a parking ticket as parking is strongly enforced. An all day parking ticket costs around $5.60. The club is investigating options for an annual car park for participants who plan to attend regularly.

Driving Directions:

You can search for Paul Wade Field St Kilda on either Google Maps or Apple Maps. Alternatively the nearest intersection is Aughtie Drive and Hockey Drive which is approximately 100m from the field.

Public Transport:

There is a tram stop located approximately 200m from the field. The stop is called 131-Fraser St/Light Rail (Middle Park). Participants who plan to arrive by public transport can coordinator in advance with the club and we will have a person meet you at the tram stop.

The tram line is number 96 from East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach. This tram line connects to Southern Cross Station.

Map: