Blind Tennis: From Local Courts to International Competitions

Rhonda on an outdoor green turf court, picture taken from the net, and showing a black blind tennis ball mid air moving toward her in the back of the court

Blind Tennis or VI tennis is one of the fastest-growing adaptive sports globally, creating opportunities for individuals with vision impairment to enjoy the game in an inclusive, accessible way. With more than 30 countries playing and aspirations of joining the Paralympic roster in the coming years, Blind Tennis is making waves in the sports world.

A Growing Community

Blind Tennis is accessible to anyone with the right equipment. Players can join their local tennis clubs, fostering a sense of belonging and community. For many, the adaptive nature of the game is what keeps them coming back to the court.

In New Zealand, the sport is gaining traction thanks to passionate advocates like Lissie Cleave, who has worked tirelessly to promote BLV Tennis both locally and internationally. Following her involvement in the World and European Championships earlier this year, Lissie is preparing to compete in Adelaide this month alongside another NZ player, Rhonda Comins

Rhonda’s Perspective

Rhonda Comins, a B1 player, shared her journey with BLV Tennis:

Rhonda on tennis court leaning against the net, showing her back with NZL written on the back in large lettering

"Blind tennis has given me a chance to play tennis again. I have the muscle memory from when I was younger and could see. The sensation of sending the ball up and around the court is quite thrilling. Now I am developing a whole different skill set—angling my body and racket to carefully pat the ball with just enough strength to get it over the net. I listen carefully for the rattle in the ball and trace its path in my imagination.

The most exciting thing about competing in Adelaide is playing against others in my B1 classification. It’s a chance to see how much my training has paid off and how I compare with others. Representing New Zealand is a proud moment, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way."

What’s Next for BLV Tennis in New Zealand?

The future looks bright for BLV Tennis in New Zealand, with discussions underway to host a national tournament next year in partnership with Tennis New Zealand. Lissie and Rhonda’s efforts are helping pave the way for greater visibility and opportunities for players across the country.

How to Support

Rhonda and Greg (coach) plus volunteers hosting a sausage sizzle at bunnings Grey Lynn

All of these opportunities are self funded, and like most sports require personal investment and fundraising. To fund their upcoming trip to Adelaide, Lissie and Rhonda are running a raffle featuring fantastic prizes. To learn more or contribute, visit the Blind Tennis NZ Facebook page or the Blind Tennis NZ website.

How does Blind Tennis actually work?

While the foundational elements of tennis remain the same, BLV Tennis incorporates modifications to ensure fair and enjoyable play for all participants:

1. Court Adaptations:

• Smaller courts and lower nets may be used, depending on the level of sight loss.

• B1 players (those with no vision or minimal light perception) play on courts with tactile lines on the floor to aid orientation and a lowered net for easier access.

2. Audible Tennis Ball:
   Players use a specially designed foam tennis ball that moves slower in the air and emits noise. The sound helps players track its movement and location as it bounces or is struck.

3. Bounce Rules:

• Players are allowed one, two, or three bounces before returning the ball, based on their vision classification.

These adaptations enable individuals with varying levels of vision loss to engage with the sport, enjoy its challenges, and hone their skills.

Whether as a player, supporter, or fan, Blind Tennis offers an exciting way to engage with an inclusive and dynamic sport. Grab an audible tennis ball and head to the courts—you might just discover a lifelong passion!

A Championship for All Ages: 69th Annual Blind and Vision Impaired Indoor Bowls Nationals

Wide shot of the Waikato Centre hall, with a crowd of indoor bowlers playing.

The 69th annual Blind and Vision Impaired Indoor Bowls National Championships held in Hamilton over Labour weekend attracted 63 players and 32 Guides to turn out and compete in Fours, Pairs and Singles events over the three days.

The Hamilton Blind Indoor Bowling Club, along with the Waikato Indoor Bowling Centre, hosted and assisted BINZ with the running of our flagship event.

Zoomed in: Zach Graham (13) Taranaki competing over the weekend

The level of competition and camaraderie was definitely on show, with players reacquainting both on and off the mat – our oldest player being Gwendoline Bremner from Canterbury at 97, and youngest Zach Graham from Taranaki at 13.

All events were fiercely contested, with a good mix of new and former winners taking out the various titles. 13-year-old Zac Graham had a great run in the Men’s Partially Sighted Singles, reaching the quarter finals where he was narrowly beaten by Whanganui’s Joe Fallen.

Indoor Bowls is a game for all ages, all abilities, and caters for all sight levels. There’s a club near you so reach out to admin@blindsport.kiwi and we’ll help connect you and get you started.

Results for the competition below:
PAIRS

WINNER                 Skip  - Robert Austin (Canterbury)

                                  Lead – Tom Boyd

                                 Guide – Carol Power

RUNNER UP          Skip – Janice Fleming (Otago)

                                  Lead – Tangi Rouvi

                                  Guide – Lisa Rouvi

TOTAL BLIND LADIES

WINNER                 Louise Henry (Hamilton)

                                  Guide – Meryn Curtis

RUNNER UP          Christine Litchfield (Manukau South)

                                  Guide – Rhonda McIntyre

TOTAL BLIND MEN

WINNER                 Nooapii Rouvi (Otago)

                                  Guide – Chris Moffitt

 RUNNER UP         Russell Lowry (Whanganui)

                                  Guide – Gavin Field

PARTIALLY SIGHTED LADIES

WINNER                 Sally Marston (Hamilton)

                                  Guide – Christine Foster

 RUNNER UP          Susie Tukariri (Manukau South)

                                  Guide – Neil Bryan

PARTIALLY SIGHTED MEN

WINNER                 Mike Smith (Hamilton)

                                  Guide – self guided

RUNNER UP           Ken Fredericksen (Whanganui)

                                   Guide – self guided

FOURS        

WINNER               Skip – Robert Austin (Canterbury)

                               Third - Douglas Chee

                               Two – Tom Boyd

                              Lead – Peter Jessett

                                Guide – Carol Power

 RUNNER UP       Skip – Keith Stewart (Canterbury)

                                Third -  Warwick Scadden

                    Two – Jillian Dellabosca

                                 Lead - Nancy Wong

                                 Guide – Gaye Boyd

Champion of Champions

TOTAL BLIND

WINNER                 Nooapii Rouvi (Otago)

                                  Guide – Chris Moffitt

 RUNNER UP          Louise Henry (Hamilton)

                                   Guide – Meryn Curtis

PARTIALLY SIGHTED

WINNER                 Mike Smith (Hamilton)

                                  Guide - nil

RUNNER UP           Sally Marston (Hamilton)

                                   Guide – Meryn Curtis

Plate Section

PAIRS

WINNER                 Skip – Keith Stewart (Canterbury)

                                  Lead - Warrick Scadden

                                  Guide – Coreen Wallis

 RUNNER UP          Skip – Tony Kane (Otago)

                                   Lead – Nooapii Rouvi

                                   Guide – Alanna Moffitt

FOURS        

WINNER              Skip - Tony Kane (Otago)

                               Third – Lance Patterson

                               Two – Nooapii Rouvi

                                Lead – Aerenga Rouvi

                              Guide – Alanna Moffitt

 RUNNER UP       Skip – David Aiono (Wellington)

                                Third – Jane Mehaffey

                                Two – Theresa Walshaw

                                 Lead – Noel Walshaw

                                 Guide – Anne Cole

FEDERATION CUP         Whanganui

(Highest average points in Fours qualifying)

CHAMPION PROVINCE – BAILES CUP                    Canterbury

GOLD STARS/BARS                                                 Nil

1ST TITLE WINNERS                         Robert Austin (Canterbury)

                                                              Tom Boyd (Canterbury)

                                                              Douglas Chee (Canterbury)

                                                              Mike Smith (Hamilton)

                                                              Sally Marston (Hamilton)

Meet Samuel Mellsop: New Zealand’s Rising Star in VI Shooting

At just 21, Samuel Mellsop from Auckland is making waves as New Zealand's only vision impaired (VI) shooter competing internationally. Born with a vision impairment, Samuel has navigated through challenging opportunities in sport, but he found his calling in shooting and has already claimed gold and silver medals on the world stage.

In this interview, Samuel opens up about his journey, his achievements, and his goals for the future.

Samuel at a recent tournament, standing with guide on podium in 1st place.

Q: Who are you?
Samuel: I'm Samuel Mellsop, 21 years old and from Auckland.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your journey with your eye condition and how you got into sport.
Samuel: I've been visually impaired since birth, and that has held me back somewhat in terms of participating in sports during my schooling. There were some good opportunities, though, like when my intermediate school had a para sports team. I also spent some time at the BLENNZ Homai campus, where I was able to participate in activities with others who had similar impairments.

In the past couple of years, I’ve also been involved with Blind Sport NZ and the Sport and Leisure department of Blind Low Vision NZ (BLVNZ), which helped me get back into sports. I got into VI shooting by visiting the Disability Sport Auckland Shooting Club in late 2021. I participated throughout 2022, and after getting my firearms license in 2023, I was able to get further into the sport. That led me to competing internationally this year in Europe. As far as I know, I’m the only VI shooter in New Zealand, definitely in Auckland.

Set up at tournament with equipment and target space.

Q: What have you achieved so far in your sport?
Samuel: Earlier this year, in May, I traveled to Germany to compete in the 1st IDE Cup. I participated in two disciplines for athletes who aren’t yet classified under the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS). I managed to win a gold medal in VIP (Visually Impaired Prone) and a silver medal in VIS (Visually Impaired Sitting). That was a huge moment for me.

Q: What’s next for you?
Samuel: I plan to keep practicing and to compete again next year, but this time I’ll compete as a classified athlete. My goal is to achieve an MQS (Minimum Qualification Score) so I can qualify for the WSPS World Championship. That’s my focus right now.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to get involved in your sport, or other sports?
Samuel: I would definitely encourage anyone interested in a sport to give it a go—you won’t know how much you’ll enjoy it unless you try. I didn’t even know that visually impaired shooting existed until one day I was talking with my dad about the idea, and he got in contact with someone through Parents of Vision Impaired NZ. That’s how I found the Parafed Auckland Shooting Club. So, I’d say to be open to new opportunities because you never know where they’ll lead you.

Want to find out more about Para-shooting or about finding a sport that is right for you? Contact admin@blindsport.kiwi

Breaking Barriers: The Impact of Audio-Described Rugby on Fans

Group Picture of ticket holders and their support companions in the stands after the match

For many sports fans, the thrill of attending a live game is an unforgettable experience. For Kiwis, experiencing the All Blacks at Eden Park is almost a rite of passage. However, for people who are blind or have low vision, enjoying the game can be a significant challenge. In a recent initiative to make live sports more inclusive, on Saturday, August 17th, Blind Sport employed the services of Audio Described Aotearoa, thanks to the collaborative support of NZ Rugby, Variety – the Childrens Charity, Sport NZ and the Ministerial Discretionary Fund. This service allowed 9 low vision and blind youth to fully engage with the game. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, showcasing the transformative power of accessibility in sports.

Transforming the Game Day Experience

Audio Description is a specialist form of commentary that provides blind and vision-impaired listeners with detailed descriptions of everything occurring on the field and far surpasses the level of detail in traditional broadcast commentary. The aim of audio describers is to keep up with play to the second, focusing on the sporting action while also providing extra details that sighted viewers may take for granted, such as presentations, ceremonies, the strips being worn, discussions between officials, and everything else of note that happens in live sport.

Photo of Kyren in the stands from a birds eye point of view. Wearing headphones and holding Audio description equipment.

For some attendees, this was their first time at a live rugby match, and the audio description service was a game-changer. Megan Warin-Webster, who had never attended a rugby game before, described the experience as "amazing." Previously, she had struggled to follow the game because she couldn't understand what was happening on the field. However, with the help of audio description, she was able to enjoy the game and immerse herself in the electric atmosphere.

Similarly, Riley Dexter emphasized how crucial the audio description was in helping him follow the game. "It meant I could understand the plays and keep track of the gameplay and where the area of the field was," he said. The service not only allowed him to enjoy the game but also contributed to the overall excitement of being in a stadium full of passionate fans.

For Ethan, the event was about feeling the energy of the crowd. "There was a huge difference when going to the All Blacks game with my family in Hamilton without audio description. I found the audio description very helpful because I was able to engage with the rest of the crowd," he shared. He particularly enjoyed the buildup with the haka and anthems, as well as the overall atmosphere throughout the game.

Inclusion and Accessibility at the Forefront

The introduction of audio description didn’t just enhance the game-day experience—it made the event truly inclusive. Justine Cormack, who attended the game with her daughter Olivia, highlighted how the service allowed Olivia to fully participate in the excitement of a large sporting event for the first time. "Normally this part of the sporting experience is just completely unavailable to her," Justine explained, noting how Olivia often misses out on the full experience due to her vision loss. The audio description enabled Olivia to not only enjoy the game but also feel a part of the crowd's energy.

Ben Styles echoed these sentiments, sharing that without the audio description, it was difficult to understand what was happening on the field. The delayed screen and lack of commentators made it hard to follow the action. However, the live audio commentary provided real-time updates that completely changed his experience. "I think they should do it again," Ben said, emphasizing the value of the service.

Kyren, who attended the match to see the All Blacks, found the entire experience exhilarating. "I enjoyed the sound of 50,000 people going crazy when the All Blacks scored goals as well as the sound of the Haka. The audio description was very good," he shared, adding that the voices were clear through the headset, allowing him to keep up with the game even amidst the crowd's noise.

Audio Describer Kevin, speaking into the microphone and reading from a script in the stands

Lisa Todd also highlighted the social aspect of the event, saying, "Being part of this exciting event and spending time with a great group of people made the experience even more enjoyable."

A Call for More Audio-Described Events

The success of this event has sparked a strong interest in expanding audio description services to other sports and events. Participants expressed a keen desire to attend more games, including cricket, netball, football, and tennis, with similar accessibility features. Olivia Cormack Neto, a dedicated sports fan, is particularly excited about the possibility of bringing more friends to future audio-described events, underscoring the potential for growing this initiative.

Justine Cormack suggested that audio description should become a standard offering for large international events, such as the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup, and noted the importance of high-quality commentary in enhancing the experience. In the UK, it is becoming increasingly common for professional football clubs to offer audio description at all matches—not just one-offs—setting a benchmark for other venues to follow.

Kyren passionately stated, "I would say any and all sports that can be made accessible like this should be. Please keep going."

Final Thoughts

Silhouettes of participants Ethan and Bradley cheering on in the stands looking out toward the field.

The audio-described rugby game was a resounding success, offering fans with vision loss an opportunity to fully engage with a live sporting event. The feedback from attendees underscores the importance of making sports more accessible and inclusive. As demand for these services grows, there is a clear opportunity to expand audio description to a wider range of sports, ensuring that all fans can share in the excitement of the game.

As the world of sports continues to evolve, it’s crucial that organizers prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. The positive response to this audio-described rugby game is a testament to the impact that thoughtful, inclusive initiatives can have on fans. By expanding these services to other sports and events, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the thrill of live sports.

Freedom on the Slopes: Celebrating the Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival

The Remarkables ski field in Queenstown recently hosted Snow Sports NZ annual event: Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival weekend. This year, the event saw the participation of 55 individuals, including those with physical, cognitive and vision-impaired participants, who came together to celebrate their love for skiing and snowboarding.

3 skiers going up the magic carpet, 2 wearing visually impaired orange high vis and one pink high vis ‘Blind Skier’

Among the participants was Thomas Coysh, a board member of Blind Sport. Thomas shared his thoughts on the festival, highlighting the sense of community it fosters. "I like the social aspect and community it brings," he said. "You have so many people from all over the country, all disabilities and walks of life coming together to celebrate together."

One of Thomas's most memorable moments was during his final race run. "I'd say it was finally on my last run going through the race gates, and finally getting a clean run after a few spills beforehand!" he recalled, illustrating the perseverance and joy that partly define the event.

Group pictures of the 55 participants and volunteers outside in the snow

For anyone considering joining the festival, Thomas had enthusiastic advice. "The festival is fantastic for any skiers and snowboarders of any ability, as you have free lessons with qualified adaptive instructors, and volunteers who have been trained to go out on the slopes with you. So, you have a lot of support, a great vibe, and it’s great for anyone of any level, whether they are getting into racing, or have never seen snow before."

Thomas also shared why he loves skiing, emphasizing the unique freedom it provides. "It's one of the sports where I feel ultimate freedom. It's not like running where you might have a tether, or a bike where you are stuck with someone. It's just you and your individual input and independence. There aren't many sports that give you that feeling of movement, I'm into sensations, and outside of riding a dirt bike, there isn't much that compares to skiing. It's a unique feeling and tactile where you can feel the snow under your feet and know the direction you're going in down the slope. Headsets are provided where the guide skier is able to give immediate directional instruction which makes it as safe as possible. I would highly recommend it."

Renzo young blind skier, holding onto a pole with guide skier

Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival held at the Remarkables is more than just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of inclusivity, perseverance, and the joy of winter sports.

Interested in finding out more, and where to start? Check out the website here: https://www.snowsports.co.nz/get-involved/adaptive-snow-sports/

Or alternatively get in touch with Sami@snowsports.co.nz