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About Blind Sports Foundation

About Us

The Blind Sports Foundation is a proud South Australian registered charity dedicated to helping blind and vision-impaired men, women, and children experience the joy, confidence, and connection that sport and recreation bring. Since 1996, we have been raising vital funds to ensure that people living with vision impairment across SA have the opportunity to participate fully and safely in the sports they love.

Our story began after the 1996 Multi Disability Championships in Sydney. That year, South Australia’s two totally blind runners were unable to compete fairly due to a lack of funding for guide runners—an essential support for blind athletes. One of those athletes, Paralympic hopeful Jason Smith, missed qualifying for the Atlanta Games by just one-hundredth of a second without his regular guide. Another runner was injured when paired with an inexperienced guide. These heartbreaking outcomes sparked action: athletes and community members came together, determined to ensure that no blind or vision-impaired South Australian would face those barriers again. From this commitment, the Blind Sports Foundation was born.

Since then, our Foundation has partnered with generous South Australian businesses, community groups, and individual donors to create life-changing opportunities. We proudly support individuals and teams in sports including athletics, cricket, goalball, golf, swimming, indoor bowls, judo, powerlifting, lawn bowls, sailing, swish, tandem cycling, and tenpin bowling. Every dollar raised makes a difference—because with our volunteer-led board and minimal overheads, 100% of every dollar goes directly to supporting blind and vision-impaired athletes across SA.

By attending our charity events, donating, or partnering with us, you’re not just funding sport—you’re helping build confidence, inclusion, and a stronger, more connected community. Together, we can break down barriers and empower people of all ages living with vision impairment to thrive through the power of sport.

Walter Lee

Over the last 20 years, Walter has been an international entrepreneur, held senior leadership roles in ASX listed companies, and professionally he is an accredited public practice accountant. He brings a unique blend of life experiences and highly developed mentoring skills that inspire people in achieving their dreams. As an active volunteer in the community assisting not-for-profit organisations, young entrepreneur programs and charities, Walter feels humbled in holding a Board Member role for the Blind Sports Foundation since 2018. He is passionate in supporting this 100% volunteer based and highly people focused charity that touches the hearts of many Australians.

Victor Velgush

Victor Velgush has been an invaluable member of the Blind Sports Foundation's board since 2011 and served as its President from 2015 to 2020. His tenure is marked by significant contributions to its growth and visibility, leveraging strategic events and initiatives. Victor's academic foundations include Economics and extensive leadership experience in sales and marketing at a Fortune 500 company. Transitioning to residential real estate, he established Refined Real Estate, showcasing his strength and knowledge in sales, marketing, and property investment.

Victor's diverse board participation reflects his dedication to community service, perfectly aligning with the Foundation's ethos. His strategic planning, problem-solving, and public speaking skills, alongside strong interpersonal abilities, render him an invaluable asset, dedicated to enhancing South Australia's prosperity and the blind sports community's development.

Eric Roberts

A Board member since 2021, Eric has had a long career in journalism, public affairs and government relations. He has worked as a reporter, sub-editor, Chief of Staff and also as a strategic planning facilitator for not-for-profit and government bodies. He now consults in media and public relations for a range of organisations.

Helen James

Helen James brings a strong background in banking and finance, with experience in both residential, commercial & construction sectors. Originally an Adelaide girl, then based in Melbourne for work, she returned to South Australia during COVID and redirected her focus to community impact and started helping Riding for the disabled at Oakbank.

A lifelong horse rider, Helen began volunteering with RDA Oakbank in 2020, then over time becoming a Level 1 coach and key fundraiser for the center.

After attending a Blind Sports Foundation Melbourne Cup lunch, she was invited by Albert Bensimon to join the BSF board. For nearly four years, Helen has been an enthusiastic board member & supported blind and visually impaired athletes and now champions expanding access for all ability riders to equine-assisted opportunities through the Blind Sports Foundation.

Pam Brooks

Pam Brooks is a partner in a small chartered accounting practice, specialising in small to medium enterprises, tax and Self managed super funds. Pams introduction to the challenges facing the vision impaired was via a clients son and she has been associated with the Blind Sports Foundation since inception. First year as accountant, thereafter in the role as treasurer. Pam is very passionate in assisting vision impaired people have access to sport and recreation which was not achievable for all before the formation of the charity. She was a keen sportsperson who is now his focused on active travel. She understands and is proud of the positive outcome the funds raised provide to the recipients. After a challenging covid 19 time she is looking forward to being part of the team to provide and grant additional funds to help vision impaired people achieve their goals.

About Board Members

Albert Bensimon

Albert Pam Brooks Profile – To be uploaded.

Celeste Lustosa

Celeste’s experience includes more than 20 years working in marke-ting and communications leading senior positions within the public and private sector overseas and in Australia. With a Bachelor in Social Communications, Majors in Journa-lism, a Masters Degree in International Relations and further formal education in Business, Digital Marketing, Social Media and Business Writing, Celeste is known for crafting strategies that connects brands with their ideal audience. Her previous experiences include serving government, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, tech companies, healthcare industries, not for profit sector and associations.

Dragan Bekric

As a board member and Chairperson, Dragan brings firsthand insight into the challenges and barriers faced by vision-impaired individuals in sports, both at recreational and elite levels. His participation both as a participant and competitor in Blind Tennis and Blind Cricket and close-knit relationships in the community have facilitated closer working relationships with SASVI (South Australian School for the Vision Impaired), various sports leagues and athletes.

Dragan has been instrumental in the establishment of the annual Blind Sports Camp. This initiative is a heavily subsidses yearly sports camp for children, to try and participate in various sports, designed to encourage sports uptake, confidence and learn life skills.

Dragan has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the newly formed partially-sighted futsal league, providing the Blind Sports Foundation the opportunity to support the community with the introduction of a new sport and league.

Dragan continues to be a highly valued member of our board and a dear friend. We greatly appreciate his unwavering commitment and the positive impact he brings to our organization.

Email: admin@blindsportsfoundation.org.au

Contact us:

Address: 278 Anzac Highway PLYMPTON South Australia.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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