LOS ANGELES (Friday, Oct. 13, 2023) – Video is now available from yesterday’s first-ever Blind Soccer Experience at Galaxy Park on the campus of Dignity Health Sports Park.
The LA Galaxy, in partnership with the United States Association of Blind Athletes, Dignity Health and Anthem Blue Cross hosted the first-ever Blind Soccer Experience at Galaxy Park on Thursday, Oct. 12. With the U.S. Blind Soccer team making its Paralympic debut in Los Angeles at the 2028 Paralympic Games, this event allowed the participants the opportunity to meet the athletes of the first-ever USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team and view a blind soccer demonstration. LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and midfielder Diego Fagundez met the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team and participated in the blind soccer demonstration.
POST-EVENT QUOTES
LA GALAXY GOALKEEPER JONATHAN BOND
On what he learned from the blind soccer experience:
“It was a really good experience, it was very fun and we learned a lot. I think we’ve all seen clips of this sport before, but until you actually put on the [goggles] on and you can’t see anything then you completely have a new perspective and a new appreciation for how difficult it is. It was very fun to get know some of the basics and then watching the experts… you realize they’re making it look a lot easier than what it is.”
On the importance of the LA Galaxy partnering with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes:
“It’s very important. At the end of the day, these guys are going to the Paralympics and they’re the national team for their sport. We have a lot of respect for what they do and it’s good to be able to speak to them about different sports, share different experiences and suddenly you’re learning tips about a different sport from an expert.”
About U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
The mission of USABA is to empower Americans who are blind or visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation, and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation. A member organization of both the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and U.S. Soccer, USABA is certified by the USOPC as the national governing body for the Paralympic team sports of goalball and blind soccer. The U.S. will make its Paralympic debut in blind soccer at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Since its founding in 1976, USABA has reached more than 100,000 individuals through its multi-sport programming. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. Learn more at www.usaba.org/.
About Anthem Blue Cross
As a long-time trusted health partner, Anthem Blue Cross has been providing high-quality, affordable health care for Californians for more than 85 years. Anthem Blue Cross, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 8.2 members in California. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com/ca or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Dignity Health Southern California
Dignity Health Southern California’s six hospitals have one common goal: to provide compassionate, high-quality health care in a safe and healing environment. Our acute care, nonprofit hospitals provide services in Los Angeles, Glendale, Northridge, Long Beach, and San Bernardino and share a legacy of human kindness with Dignity Health. All of the Dignity Health Southern California facilities have been recognized for quality care, safety, premier surgical services, technologically-advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, comprehensive home health services, and a wide variety of community benefit programs. Visit dignityhealth.org/SoCal for more information.
