Inspired by the recent Paralympic Games in Rio, Tyson O’Neil wants to make it to Tokyo in 2020.
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The Weston boy is part of the junior team representing NSW at the Australian Goalball Championships this week.
The sport was designed for blind athletes and involves a ball containing several bells which the players use to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal. Opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies by listening to the ball.
All players are blindfolded to ensure an equal playing field between all levels of vision impairment.
The championships will take place at Kings School, Parramatta from September 29 to October 2 and will welcome teams from across Australia and international teams from America and Korea to compete in the mens’ category.
At 13 years old, O’Neil is one of the youngest players on the junior team (under-15s) despite only discovering the sport two years ago.
“My old vision teacher told Mum about goalball and Mum thought it would be great for me,” O’Neil said.
“I went with Vision Australia to watch them train and decided to join.”
The Kurri Kurri High School student also competed at the NSW Combined High Schools athletics championships this month, and established a new T13 record in the under-15s boys 100m (para) race.
O’Neil now holds three records in as many years of competing in athletics and will compete in the NSW All Schools State Carnival next month.
O’Neil said that he wouldn’t be where he is without the support of his family.
“They drove me all the way to Adelaide for the Pacific School Games last year and take me to training in Sydney on most weekends,” O’Neil said. “I’m really lucky.”
Not familiar with goalball? Check out the video below.