Sports and Clubs

The California School for the Blind (CSB) is proud to showcase our Clubs and Sports Teams for the 2023-2024 School Year. Each sports season is 12 weeks in length inclusive of a tryout and/or conditioning week.

Clubs

CSB offers many clubs throughout the school year. For all sports related clubs, Sports Registration Packets are required. Please reach out to Jason Tan at jtan@csb-cde.ca.gov for the complete Sports Registration Packet.

This 2023-2024 school year, we are offering the following clubs:

  • Fall Goalball Club
    Meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3:40-4:55pm. Dates are listed.
    • August 28, 30
    • September 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
    • October 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
    • November 1, 6, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16 (extra dates hosted in November in order to host tryouts for Winter Season)

Sports

In order to try out for the Sports Teams, please reach out to Jason Tan at jtan@csb-cde.ca.gov for the complete Sports Registration Packet. This packet includes documentation that requires a physician's signature, so please plan accordingly.

The seasons/sports are as follows:

  • Fall (September 7, 2023 to November 9, 2023)
  • Winter (November 27, 2023 to February 14, 2024)
  • Spring (March 4, 2024 to May 16, 2024)

2023-2024 Sports Calendar

2021-2022 Sports Team Roster

 

Goalball

Goalball is the most popular team sport for the blind and visually impaired. It was originally created for World War 2 (WWII) veterans so that they could stay physically active. Then as its popularity grew, it became a paralympic sport and premiered at the 1976 Paralympic Games in Toronto, and is played competitively in 112 countries. Goalball is played in two teams of three players. The teams face each other across a court that is 9 meters wide and 18 meters long. The goal of the game is to roll a basketball size ball with bells inside over the opponent's goal line. Your opponents listen for the oncoming ball and attempt to block it using their bodies. The player's zones are marked by taping a heavy string down to the court for the players to feel with their hands and feet for orientation. The game consists of two 12-minute halves and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

At CSB we offer two seasons of goalball in the Fall and the Winter. The Fall season is dedicated to learning and developing skills so that students can play at a competitive level. The Fall season is offered to all students on campus who are interested in trying goalball for the first time or want to refine their skills. The winter season is our competitive season. Students go through tryouts to earn a place on the CSB Goalball team. During this season students attend practices and conditioning sessions to strengthen their individual and team skills. The team then has the opportunity to play in games against staff and other goalball teams in the area.

In December 2022, our Goalball team competed in the New Mexico Goalball Tournament and had an amazing experience. Watch our Goalball team compete at the New Mexico Goalball Tournament!

Four goalball players sit in the front row with five players behind them. Coach Taylor is standing on the left and coach Molly on the right.

 

Beep Kickball

Beep kickball is a sport for individuals who are visually impaired or blind. The sport is played on grass, uses a beeping ball and two bases that also beep. These bases are called first and third base, there is no second base in beep kickball. Each team has five players and every player wears a blindfold to equalize any vision differences.

The offensive players will kick the ball and run to the base that is beeping, it could be first or third base. If the runner tags the base before the defensive team picks the ball up, then they are safe and score a point for their team. If the defensive team picks up the ball before the runner tags the base, then the runner is out. There are six innings, the team with the most runs at the end of the sixth inning is the winner.

At CSB, we offer one season of beep kickball in the spring. Throughout the season, students have practice four days a week after school, they participate in team workouts and drills to improve their skills. The team plays against staff members three times during the scheduled season.

The CSB beep kickball team stands in a group in front of the backstop on the beep kickball field. The group is smiling behind a whiteboard that shows the points scored in each inning and the score of the game.


Swimming

At CSB, we offer one season of swim team in the spring. During the season, students swim against local high schools, swim clubs and a student versus staff game. The team practices 4 days a week to improve their technique.

The 5 members of the CSB swim team are posing for a photo while in the pool. They have their arms resting on the pool deck and are all wearing a cap and goggles on their head.

 

Resources

U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) External link opens in new window or tab.

International Blind Sports Federation Rules and Regulations External link opens in new window or tab.

The Beep Kickball Association External link opens in new window or tab.

 

We are still looking for coaches for several of these teams. If you are interested in coaching at CSB contact Adrian Amandi at aamandi@csb-cde.ca.gov and submit a letter of intent explaining why you are interested and able to coach, as well as a resume.

The goal of our sports program is to increase the opportunity for our students to participate in athletics and encourage physical fitness, team concepts, and recreation and leisure opportunities.

Go Cheetahs!