Competitive Blind 5-a-side Soccer makes a welcome return to Ontario next month as the Ontario Parasport Games are hosted across the Region of Durham.

The Games will run from Feb. 8-10 at nine locations across the region and include sports such as skiing, curling, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.

Blind soccer made its debut at the Games in Brantford 2017 with two competing teams from Ottawa and Kitchener SC but this year's event will see an expansion to three teams with Pickering SC now entering their own team.

5-a-side soccer is played by athletes with a visual impairment. The game is played on a smaller pitch than able-bodied soccer and the pitch is enclosed by boards similar to what you would expect for hockey.

The game is very loud as coaches and sighted goalkeepers shout instructions, players verbally communicate, and the ball makes noise.

All blind soccer games will be hosted at the Pickering Soccer Centre with free entry to each session. Ontario Soccer encourages the membership to come and see who will be crowned the Parasport Champion in 2019 and learn more about this fantastic sport.

Saturday, February 9, 2019.

10:30 – 11:30am – Ottawa Blind Soccer vs. Pickering Soccer Club
11:30am – 12:30pm – The Kitchener Soccer Club vs. Ottawa Blind Soccer
12:30 -1:15pm – Break
1:15 – 2:15pm  -Pickering Soccer Club vs. The Kitchener Soccer Club 

Sunday, February 10, 2019.

10:30 – 11:30am – Ottawa Blind Soccer vs. The Kitchener Soccer Club
11:30am – 12:30pm – Pickering Soccer Club vs. The Kitchener Soccer Club
12:30 – 1:15pm – Break
1:15 – 2:15pm – Pickering Soccer Cub vs. Ottawa Blind Soccer
2:15 –  2:30pm – MEDALS CEREMONY