Goalball is a sport specifically designed for blind athletes, where the aim is to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies.

Bells inside the ball help to orientate the players by indicating the direction of the oncoming ball. Therefore, while play is in progress, complete silence is required in the venue to allow the players to concentrate and react instantly to the ball.

Athletes wear ‘blackout’ masks on the playing court as to make a level playing field between all classifications of disability.

In October, Tyson was part of the NSW side which finished runner-up at the Australian Goalball Championships in Ipswich, Queensland from October 1-4.

Tyson again tasted success as part of the NSW goalball team who brought home the bronze medal from the Pacific School Games in Adelaide from November 21-29.

As a 12-year-old in an under-16’s competition, he was the youngest player in the side and had only been playing the sport for five months prior.

Tyson got involved in the sport from a sports day in Newcastle, and found it a lot of fun so decided to pursue it.

He trains for goalball at Maitland High School on Saturdays and occasionally in Parramatta.

He scored two goals during the competition and met a lot of new friends in the process.

The Weston Public School student topped off his success in goalball with two records at the School Sport Australia athletics competition.

Tyson broke the T13 records in the under 12’s 100m in a time of 14.88 and the 200m in a time of 31.82 and also was part of the bronze medal winning 4x100m relay team.

Tyson’s talent has been recognised with a goalball scholarship from Variety, which will allow him to continue to pursue the sport after he begins high school next year.