MOBALE January 2017
MAINE ORGANIZATION for BLIND ATHLETIC and LEADERSHIP
EDUCATION
VOL 1 No. 1 - January, 2017, www.mobale.org
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
US!
Welcome to the first ever edition
of the MOBALE newsletter! Its purpose is to keep the community updated on our
organization’s programs, goals and accomplishments, to showcase athletes,
volunteers and sponsors, and announce news, up-coming events and activities.
This issue focuses on who we are and what we do. Future issues will include
more about why our program is so important, and ways that you can help out and
support our athletes.
2017 WINTER SPORTS
CAMP at SUGALOAF USA - Feb 12-14 2017
Visit our website for more details on the weekend activities
and how to register.
FAQs…Frequently Asked Questions about Sports Education for
youth with visual impairments
WHO ARE WE? Established in 2015, MOBALE’s format is based on
a model followed by a previous Sports Education Camp (SEC) in New England. The
SEC is an alternative model of providing instruction in motor skill development
in a structured manner that meets the unique needs of youth who are blind or
have low vision.
HOW DID WE DEVELOP OUR PROGRAM? MOBALE is affiliated with
Western Michigan University and adheres to their “Access Sports Model”, an
alternative to models for sighted youth in its attention to development of
motor skills in a way that meets the needs of those who, because of limited
vision, cannot adequately learn or compete in traditional models for those who
are sighted. Adaptations
are also made in equipment and playing fields to enable full
and meaningful participation.
WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE? We strive to provide a program that
enables youth athletes who are blind and visually impaired to gain awareness of
spatial concepts, improve physical health, gain sports knowledge and skills and
set goals for their personal well-being.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Youth who are visually impaired in
grades 3-12 from any New England state.
WHAT DO WE OFFER? We
offer both summer and winter programs held at various community locations which
MOBALE leases for the duration of the camps. Athletes receive both group and
individual training in each sport/activity they engage in at sports education
camps, workshops or events including: swimming, bowling, goalball, fencing,
wrestling, gymnastics, Zumba, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ice skating.
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT- Who better to grace our first newsletter
than our own, Lindsay Ball! Sport: Paralympic Alpine skiing Hometown: Benton, Maine
Lindsay began skiing when she was just 6 years old. She
began racing competitively in high school and was named to the US Paralympic Development Team. She
competed in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Lindsay is on the MOBALE board of directors
and volunteers at SEC.
OUR SPONSORS!
MOBALE sports camps would not be possible
without the generous support
of our sponsors who believe in our mission, our athletes and our ability
to deliver a quality program.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
ROTARY International - THE IRIS Nwtwork - LIONS
International - Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aux
ATHLETE SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT
MOBALE is committed to instituting precautions to guard the safety of
all athletes. Volunteers are required to pass background checks, take an online
“Safe Sport” training about how to prevent athlete abuse and train in proper
sighted guide technique. The organization is governed by a board of directors,
maintains its own liability insurance and requires proof of insurance from all
event facilities.
GET CONNECTED…
MOBALE
website: www.mobale.org
facebook.com/MOBALE/Maine
Watch blind paralympic runners compete: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lJJTntp3UZk
Download a copy of the MOBALE January 2017 newsletter in Word format
