With the one year anniversary of the Toronto 2015 Para Pan Am Games it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the legacy of the Games and specifically the blind (5-a-side) and CP (7-a-side) soccer competitions.
The Canadian ParaSoccer team failed to qualify for Rio 2016 finishing in fourth at last year's Para Pan Am Games. Raucous support from the home crowd did however drive the team to a rare victory against a strong American team and nearly pushed the bronze medal game against Venezuela in to extratime.
Speaking with Coach Drew Ferguson there is a real sense that this team can achieve a lot in the future with many young players committed to the program and hungry for success. After completing a short camp at the Toronto FC Kia Training Grounds the team now leave for their only international competition of 2016 in Denmark where they kick-off this Friday (July 29th) against the hosts.
All games will be livestreamed including Canada's final two group games against Finland (30 July) and Japan (1 August). Canada's para soccer team includes players that have cerebral palsy or have had a recorded stroke or severe brain injury.
From a blind soccer perspective an enormous amount of grassroots work has been delivered right across the Province as we build this exciting version of the game.
In partnership with Ontario Blind Sport Association (OBSA) the Ontario Soccer Association have been able to deliver community based sessions to an estimated 300 participants in Windsor, Ottawa, Scarborough and Sudbury.
Through the legacy made possible from TO2015 equipment including audible balls, blindfolds, markers and kick boards, as well as funding for court time, have enabled the OSA to support local blind soccer centres in Kitchener SC, Sudbury District SC, Whitby Abilities Centre and in September a local centre with roll-out in Ottawa.
Each Centre will work towards the creation of a team to represent their region at the 2017 Ontario ParaSport Games being held in Brantford from February 10-12.
Participants can be legally blind, visually impaired or sighted to participate as blindfolds are worn on the field by all players except the goalkeepers.
To learn more, this great video in preparation for Rio 2016 will tell you more.
If you want to play, click a link to get in touch with a local centre or email Matt Greenwood, to find out more.