As part of HM Government of Gibraltar’s ongoing commitment to para sports, the Ministry of Equality’s Supported Needs and Disability Office (SNDO) is continuing its ‘Change Starts with Sports’ campaign with the aim of highlighting a different para sport every month throughout 2025.

The first para sport to be highlighted in January was Blind Tennis, also known as VI tennis or sound tennis, a variant of tennis created in Japan in 1984. The sport uses foam balls that are 1.5 times larger than a tennis ball and are filled with various materials to make them jingle as they move in order for players to locate them. The rules are almost identical to sighted tennis, with the most notable exceptions being that players may be blindfolded depending on their sporting classification and that the ball is allowed to bounce two or three times depending on the players’ sporting classification.

The SNDO collaborated with local blind tennis player Jack Fisher to host a successful taster session which provided local members of the Blind / VI community the opportunity to participate in a sport designed with them in mind. It also allowed members of the wider community to witness a sport they may have otherwise not known and to participate in an inclusive version of the sport against members of the Blind / VI community.

In February the SNDO worked to help facilitate the donation of a racing wheelchair to the Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association (GAAA) which was received in February by Ms. Sharon Celecia of Lourdians Athletics Club 1964. This donation will allow for persons with mobility difficulties to be able to participate on an equal basis on the athletics track. If any persons wish to get involved in using the racing wheelchair, please contact GAAA on info@gibraltarathletics.com or Ms. Celecia on seljoshi21@gmail.com.

The most recent ‘Change Starts with Sports’ project took place in March. The SNDO and Westside school collaborated in running para sports lessons for the A-level Physical Education cohort, focusing on Wheelchair Basketball and Blind Football. This session helped pave the way for future collaborations with the education sector and the growth of the inclusivity mindset and skillset of our youth.

Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Chrisitan Santos GMD MP said; “I am thrilled different groups and the schools are collaborating on this campaign which will give everyone the chance to participate in sport and develop a sense of belonging and community. My thanks to my colleague, Minister for Education, Prof John Cortes for encouraging the schools to get involved in this incredible project.” 

If any individuals, clubs or associations wish to collaborate with the SNDO on future ‘Change Starts with Sports’ projects, please email sndo@gibraltar.gov.gi.