ABOUT MBSA
Home > About us
ABOUT MBSA
Home > About us
Welcome
The Manitoba Blind Sports Association has been the recognized not-for-profit provincial sport organization for blind and visually impaired Manitobans since 1976. Our mission is to encourage participation in sport at all levels of skill and ability by providing athletic and recreational programs to support the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of Manitobans who are blind or vision impaired. We currently support athletes in Manitoba participating in both Summer and Winter sports.
We welcome new athletes of all abilities and skill levels, as well as volunteers to support our athletes and organization. Contact MBSA at 204-925-5694 or e-mail blindsport@ shawbiz.ca to learn more about our organization.
Sports Programs are starting soon! For more information, please contact the office at blindsport@shawbiz.ca or
204-925-5694.
The Manitoba Blind Sports Association is a registered charitable organization. We rely on donors to support us in providing opportunities for blind and vision-impaired athletes in Manitoba. Learn more about how you can support MBSA.
Athlete Stories & Highlights
Hear our athletes’ stories and highlights from MBSA programs. Learn about their achievements and the impact of inclusive sports.
“When I lost my sight, it became an awakening for me.” — says Kanya.
Kanya, from Winnipeg, began losing her vision at age 23 and became fully blind a few years later. During that time, she discovered the power of sport to rebuild confidence, strength, and independence.
Kanya previously served as the President of the Manitoba Blind Sports Association, She also participates in Jiu-Jitsu (Martial Arts), helping create opportunities for people with vision loss to participate in sports, stay active, and build community.
Scarlette Dorn
I have always had a passion for sport in general, with experience mostly coming from my experience in swimming and hockey. I love getting the opportunity to try different types of sports, as I have also tried Goalball, Beep Baseball and recently (this pasted May) Blind Soccer. With that said, I am also a current student at the University of Manitoba in the faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management – focusing on a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development. This has given me the opportunity to see how the behind the scenes of sports administration works and allowed me to focus on expanding my knowledge in sports research – specifically opportunities for blind/visually impaired athletes/participants. As well as, seeing how social media, website program overviews and participant testimonial go along way to promote existing/new opportunities and/or programs.
Experiences:
I have volunteer experience, in being a mentor to children and youth who are blind and partially sighted at the CNIB (Canadian Institution for the Blind) in Winnipeg from 2017 to 2020. Assisting in recreation activities: arts and crafts, learning cooking skills, music therapy sessions and public outing activities: bowling, mini golf and swimming. As well as, showcasing adaptive equipment and information surrounding the para-sport of Blind Hockey at an Accessible Sport Expo with Accessible Sport Connection Manitoba, in Niverville, MB. I also have experience in coordinating and coaching the past two seasons of Winnipeg Blind Hockey with the help of Canadian Blind Hockey. From sending out program emails to parents and participants, organizing schedules and volunteers and creating lesson plans for the program. Additionally, I have written about my experience in Blind Sports and have experiences in interviews for expanding para-sport opportunities in Winnipeg/Canada and female participation in para-sport.
With that, I am committed to this organization’s programs success, as it has brought myself a great deal of joy and countless friendships to participate in them myself.
Management – focusing on a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development. This has given me the opportunity to see how the behind the scenes of sports administration works and allowed me to focus on expanding my knowledge in sports research – specifically opportunities for blind/visually impaired athletes/participants. As well as, seeing how social media, website program overviews and participant testimonial go along way to promote existing/new opportunities and/or programs.
Jason Reynolds
Hello
My name is Jason Reynolds and I am involved in blind Curling. I’m also involved with the CNIB and do many other things within the blank community at large. I would like to throw my name in the hat for member it large on the ASC Manitoba committee. As I believe, I have a large voice and bring new ideas to the table. I’ve only been blind seven years so I do take a unique perspective on blindness as a whole, and believe that blind and low vision people should be able to compete and participate in anything they want to.
Knowing that I came from the sited world and that the barriers we face in the disabled community are not front of mind for those who do not have any interaction with people with disabilities. In my life, I have played many sports Curling, hockey cross-country skiing, a small bit of golf, and truly believe that the disabled community will be much more healthy if we can lead active lives. So again, I want to put my name forward for the member at large position that sits with ASC Manitoba or even any other member at large position for now as I am new to blind sport, but I believe that blind sport is a stand-up organization and what they have done for me so far even which is Curling has been amazing and I would like to give back.
Garth Loeppky
Director at Large – Sport Technical
Garth is a lifelong advocate of sport and physical fitness and holds a Degree in Physical Education from the University of Manitoba.
Garth advanced through minor hockey in MB and played at an elite level for the Central Plains Capitals. He continued to show his passion for hockey when he transitioned to officiating and soon was identified for his skill and passion rising through the ranks of the Hockey MB Officiating program. Garth obtained his National Certification while working National assignments for Hockey Canada as well as years in the Western and American Hockey leagues.
While the Director of Officiating for Hockey MB, Garth began losing his eyesight to a genetic condition (Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy) that he was not previously aware of. The condition deteriorated in only a few short months and he was forced to cope with the loss of function.
Garth became aware of Manitoba Blind Sport shortly after his vision loss. The people involved with the board and the many coaches associated with the various programs have been very important to Garth and his adaptation to live after sight loss. Garth has been involved in Swimming, Golf, and Archery through the MBSA. Garth also enjoys running, hiking, tandem cycling, waterskiing as well as other home/gym based activities.
“I was told at the beginning by a friend that recovery after sight loss is 5% physical and 95% mental and I still believe that it is true to this day. The programs that the MBSA runs have been valuable in helping me to achieve some autonomy, adapt to what sport is for me now and still push myself to try new things. “
Garth joined the board of directors for the MBSA in 2020.
