Goalball NSW has been named Organisation of the Year at the 2023 NSW Champions of Sport Awards. 

The ceremony, which was held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Monday 20 November, was a celebration of the achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and organisations, alongside the states greatest athletes as they join the NSW Hall of Champions. 

Goalball was developed in 1946 when it to rehabilitate WW2 veterans with blindness and poor vision and keep them active. It has come a long way since then and Australia now has the largest Goalball 4 Schools program in the world, with over 4,500 students participating across 150 schools. 

The Bankstown Sports Group supported Goalball NSW with $20,000 funding through the 2023 ClubGRANTS scheme to run programs in schools in the Canterbury-Bankstown area. 

Goalball NSW CEO Nic Watkins says that support was a key factor in last night’s award win. 

“To be recognised in a such a way is a massive deal for us considering we are up against the likes of Football NSW and Basketball NSW. Considering we are a tiny sport with scant resources, none of this would have been possible without the support of Bankstown Sports.  

“The trust you showed our organisation for the first lot of Goalball 4 Schools sessions has ensured we have nearly tripled our participation numbers which has had positive flow on effects across our organisation”. 

Congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic organisation! 

To learn more about Goalball NSW, visit https://www.goalball.com.au