The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) has renewed its call for experienced individuals from the torball and showdown communities to put themselves forward to lead the sports into the future.

After a campaign to recruit new Chairs for all nine of its sports committees, IBSA successfully appointed new Chairpeople for all except torball and showdown.

The committees are responsible for leading crucial elements of the management of each sport, such as rules, the competition calendar and worldwide growth and development. They are formed of volunteers with backgrounds that include refereeing and sports and competition management, as well as having athletes amongst their number.

The Chairs of the torball and showdown committees will be able to appoint members as they see fit and will be at the forefront of each of the sports. They will also benefit from the support and guidance of the IBSA Executive Board, who they report to.

Anyone interested in taking on either role must be supported by their IBSA Member organisation and complete a nomination form which can be downloaded here.

They must also submit a biography/CV which outlines their experience and a letter explaining their motivation for chairing the showdown or torball sport committee.

Applications should be sent to [email protected] by 25 February 2022.

Torball is a fast-moving team sport for people with vision impairments of all ages. Torball is played with a 500g ball that must be thrown underneath three cords tightened across the court. The object of the game is for each team to throw the ball across the opponent´s goal line while the other team attempts to make saves. Then the defending team takes on the attacking play and former attackers in turn defend their goal.

Showdown is played on a specially designed table by two players from opposing sides using flat, paddle-type bats. The aim of the game is to bat the ball off the side wall, along the table, under the centre screen, and into the opponent’s goal. The first player to reach eleven points, leading by two or more points, is the winner.

Sound produced by the ‘bee bees’ rolling around inside the ball indicates the location of the ball during the play. The sport is inexpensive to start up, requires minimal maintenance, and can be played in a room the size of a classroom or meeting room.