Resident Program

US Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is planning to launch its Resident Program at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (CSOPTC) beginning June 2, 2025 and continue programming through the 2028 LA Paralympic Games.

In such Resident Program, athletes will reside in dormitories at the CSOPTC. Specific training and competition will be geared to the individual athlete’s needs but generally will include 3-4 goalball on-court training sessions per week, 2-3 weight room sessions per week, 1-2 goalball specific training sessions, and participation in other program events.

PROGRAM SIZE

2025 Resident Program will be capped at a maximum of eight (8) Resident athletes (on and offsite)  program slots. Program size is not guaranteed and must be approved by USOPC Paralympic Performance team.

Accepted athletes (see Application & Acceptance section for further details) who desire to enter the Resident Program must commit to the full current Resident Program period of June 2, 2025 to December 12, 2025. All resident athletes will be required to re-apply annually. There will be a break in the Resident Program training from July 21, 2025 to August 18, 2025 for the Americas Tournament.

APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE

An application for the Resident Program will be available at www.usaba.org. Any athlete who wishes to participate must apply and be accepted into the Resident Program. Acceptance to the Resident Program will be at the sole discretion of USABA, and approved by USOPC Paralympic Performance team, and all positions in the Resident Program will not necessarily be filled.

For consideration, applicants must:

• Be a current U.S. citizen eligible to represent the U.S. in the Paralympic Games.
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a USA Goalball National Team Athlete
• Be internationally classified, or eligible
• Be a current USABA member in good standing
• Have completed High School or earned an equivalent degree
• Be willing to civically participate in the local Colorado Springs community on a part-time basis by:
  • volunteering,
  • continuing education, or
  • employment
• Be able to live independently and take care of all personal needs without supervision and constant reminders, which shall include, but are not limited to, attending practices, meetings, showering, dressing, eating, etc.
• Be willing to submit a complete health profile (including MDFs and physicals) coordinated by the USOPC Sports Medicine division, including a thorough medical history and comprehensive physical examination.

Evaluation of athletes for acceptance to the Resident Program will consider a wide range of factors including:

• Space availability
• Relevant performance data from current quadrennium, taking into consideration the annual athlete performance plan
• Athlete’s current ‘home’ training environment
• Impact for the USA Goalball’s Resident Program on the athlete’s contribution to medial potential
• Athlete’s desire and willingness to commit fully to an extended training period (1-4 years) in the Resident Program

**The USA Goalball Coaching staff may add additional athletes after the application deadline and start date until maximum program slots are filled as approved by USABA and USOPC Paralympic Performance team.

IMPORTANT DATES

April 21, 2025                      Applications for the Resident Program are open should be submitted to Vito Villa (vvilla@usaba.org)

April 30, 2025                      All applications are due

May 1 – 7,2025                   Applicants will need to be available for onsite or phone interviews

May 8 – 15, 2025               Applicants will be notified of their status/acceptance into the Resident Program

May 31, 2025                       Arrival at the training center will be expected shortly after notification

National team athletes that participate in the Resident Program have already been notified of the competition opportunities for the 2025 season. The 2026 High Performance plan will outline future program opportunities.

Application Process
All interested athletes need to fill out the application, found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHWGDSL

 Acceptance into the Resident Program will be at the sole discretion of USABA staff and National Team coaches.  Prior to entry to the program, selected athletes will be expected to sign a contract, become a USABA member,

Support the Goalball Center of Excellence
With the creation of a resident program, USABA, through the support of our funders, will play a large role in the achievement of the goals and dreams of young athletes who are blind and visually impaired for many years to come. Dreams of attending college while playing a sport they love and being provided services that are on par or better than that of NCAA student-athletes. Dreams of training for the ultimate athletic experience in the Paralympic Games will be realized. Dreams of having the same athletic opportunities as their sighted peers will come true. To learn more about supporting the Goalball Center of Excellence Resident Program, email USA Goalball and Performance Coordinator Vito Villa at vvilla@usaba.org