A basketball program for people who are blind or vision impaired is being conducted at Frankston District Basketball Association, in Victoria. In 2022 a pilot program commenced, offering skills and drills, with a view to adding basketball games.
The drills and games are played on a standard regulation basketball court using a basketball with a bell inside. Activities typically involve 3 to 4 people and individual drills are also incorporated. The primary focus of the drills are to familiarise participants with the basketball court, allowing them to understand the size of the goal by feeling the ring and backboard. A braille map is available to help people with a vision impairment translate the size of the courts and location of lines, key and rings.
Skills covered encompass dribbling, bounce passes, shooting, team passing, and movements in both half-court and full-court settings. In the modified game, still in its trial period – successful goals are worth 3 points, and hitting the backboard earns 1 point. Each skills session typically lasts for 60-90 minutes.
To ensure inclusivity, the program offers modified equipment, including a bell ball, sound rings, goggles, floor rings, and a braille map of the basketball court. These adaptations assist participants with varying degrees of vision impairment to take part.
The program is located in Frankston, Victoria. We are not aware of any other basketball associations in other States or Territories currently offering a similar program.
The FDBA program is free and open to anyone who is blind or has vision loss, regardless of age.
Contact Information
Those interested in joining the FBDA program can register via the provided link: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/d9b0ea
The program takes place at the Frankston and District Basketball Association’s Dreamstreet Lending Arena, located at 90 Bardia Avenue, Seaford, VIC, 3198.
For more information contact FDBA Coordinator
0412515422
9776 8999
