AFL Blind
What is AFL Blind?
AFL Blind is a modified variation of Australian Rules Football and developed by AFL Victoria with input from the SA School for Vision Impaired. The game is played on an indoor AFL field with a regulation sized AFL ball with buzzers inserted between the leather and the bladder. The ball was originally designed by the PE teacher at the SA School for Vision Impaired and was later developed by Sherrin.
To protect the players from the hard hits and tackles that they can't see coming of the usual AFL game, players tag the player, giving them 3 seconds to get rid of the ball. When attempting to defend or gain possession of the ball players must call "Mine" to alert other players of their presence.
Rules differ depending on the players' vision:
B1 players score 12 points for every goal scored 2 for every point scored.
A pass made to a B1 Player (handball or kick) that hits them on the front of their upper torso counts as a mark.
B2/B3 players score 6 points for every goal scored and 1 for every point scored.
For a B2/B3 player to make a mark they must have the ball hit their arms or hands from a kick.
Classification information
To be able to compete in official AFL Blind tournaments athletes must have a B1, B2, B3 or B4 classification.
In South Australia it is possible to get a classification by booking time with the Royal Society for the Blind or Health2Go at Flinders University.
B1 Classification
Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60 which is equivalent to poorer than 6/600 (no functional vision for sport)
B2 Classification
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) or 6/160 to 6/600 (inclusive)
B3 Classification
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) or 6/60 to 6/160 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 10 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 or 6/19 (B4)
AFL Blind at SASSVI
In 2015 the PE teacher noticed that there was a group of primary school aged boys who would spend all break kicking an AFL ball against the concrete wall. Whilst on the hard surface of the asphalt the students could track the ball, but it was clear that the ball would disappear once it landed on the soft grass or in the bushes and the students would wait until a teacher or student with functional vision passed before they could retrieve the ball. It was from this that the first AFL Blind ball was created, with different sounds being tested, finally settling on the buzzer sound that is used today.
The game found traction and funding with AFL Victoria where the sport and the rules were adapted from indoor AFL. From here the sport continued to grow until there is a strong league in Victoria.
South Australia is yet to form a league, however, the sport continues in a strong way in SASSVI, joining with SANFL teams to run clinics and lunch time clubs with the students.
How can I be involved?
There is currently no AFL Blind league in South Australia, however, for more information please contact below:
SA School and Services for Vision Impaired
If you would like more information on the AFL Blind program at SASSVI or in South Australia please contact:
Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired)
Phone Number: +61882775255
SANFL
If you would like more information inclusive opportunities is AFL in South Australia
Visit: sanfl.com.au
AFL Victoria
For information from Australia's first AFL Blind League
Contact: Scott Nicholas (Disabilities Programs Manager)
Email: scott.nicholas@afl.com.au
Visit: https://aflvic.com.au/diversity/disability/afl-blind/
Blind Sports SA
If you would like more information on opportunities in Blind Sports in South Australia please contact:
Kent Dredge (Sports Development Officer)
Email: kent.dredge@blindsportssa.org.au
Visit: blindsportssa.org.au