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
Walter is a respected Adelaide-based business mentor and qualified public practice accountant (FIPA FFA) with extensive experience advising SMEs and not-for-profit organisations. As an invited mentor with the South Australian Business Chamber, Walter supports entrepreneurs and growing businesses in developing strong financial, operational, and strategic foundations. Passionate about community impact, he serves as a volunteer Board Member of the Blind Sports Foundation, where he contributes his expertise to help expand opportunities for blind and vision-impaired South Australians to participate in sport and recreation. Walter is also the founder of MyMentor, a mentoring and advisory service dedicated to empowering business owners through education, innovation, and ethical leadership. His commitment to integrity and community service continues to inspire those he mentors and works alongside.
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.
Pam 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 is a respected South Australian businessman and philanthropist best known as the founder of Shiels Jewellers and for his iconic “No Hoo-Haa” campaign. Born in Egypt and educated in Australia and the UK, Albert has dedicated much of his life to giving back to the community. Over the years, he has raised significant fundings for organisations including the Hutt Street Centre, UNICEF, Helpmann Academy, and Blind Sports Foundation. His long-standing commitment to supporting sport, the arts, and social causes reflects his belief in helping others achieve their full potential. Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for his service to business and the community, Albert continues to inspire generosity, leadership, and compassion across South Australia.
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.
E: admin@blindsportsfoundation.org.au
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