Blind football has now officially launched in New Zealand, with Blind Sport New Zealand, in association with IBSA and the IBSA Football Committee, introducing the sport to New Zealand at events in Auckland last weekend.

IBSA Football Committee Chair, Ulrich Pfisterer, was in Auckland to officially launch the game in New Zealand.

“The IBSA Football Committee is committed to the development of the sport worldwide, and we look forward to working with Blind Sport New Zealand on the development of the sport here, and throughout Oceania”, Pfisterer said.

Formal launch ceremonies were followed by the opportumity for the cross section of the disability sports and football communities to learn more about the sport, with Pfisterer sharing his expertise as a former professional player and German national team head coach, in a practical skills development and coaching session at Saint Kentigern School for Boys in Auckland.

Blind Sport New Zealand National Manager Dan Shepherd was excited by the opportunity to bring blind football to New Zealand’s blind and low vision community.

“This is an exciting occasion for blind and low vision sport in New Zealand, because the introduction of blind football represents the increasing sport and recreation opportunity available to our community”.

Blind football, or Football 5-a-side, is widely considered one of the world’s most popular blind and low vision sports, and is competed in internationally in a B1 classification at regional championships, IBSA World Championships, the IBSA World Games and at the Summer Paralympic Games.

Caption: participants salute the camera after training (© Victor Carter Photography).