Created in 2007, Anices* introduces people with disabilities to various sports. With only about ten members at the start of the project, the group now has ten sports sections and 174 members. This is a tremendous pride for the founding president, Sébastien Filippini, who, on the occasion of a Torball training session, introduces the members of his association.
Torball, a name that doesn’t immediately ring a bell in the collective mind, is indeed the flagship activity of Anices. It is in the gymnasium of Terra Amata school that the different categories train several times a week from 7 PM to 9 PM. The field is gradually set up, the members arrive one by one, the balls are inflated one last time, and it’s time to start! On the agenda for today’s session for the four male divisions present tonight are shooting exercises and a series of matches.
Born after World War II, this sport intended for the visually impaired is a sort of handball derivative. The objective is simple: score more goals than the opponent using a ball with a bell*. A team consists of three players who must protect goals 7 meters long and 1 meter 30 high. Strings are attached a few centimeters above the playing surface. The bells attached to each of these strings indicate to the players on the field if the shot is successful. If they don’t ring, the ball has safely crossed the field below the obstacles. Conversely, when the high-pitched resonances are heard in the hall, the throw is not valid and the shooter is penalized.
Hearing thus plays a crucial role, and even the spectators sitting in the gym must remain silent to allow the participants to concentrate. Each team is allowed to have one sighted person among its ranks, which is the case for Alexandre, an Anices employee since 2008. “I have really erased their disabilities, they are more comfortable than I am in moving because they are used to being in the dark,” he explains. Yes, ski goggles lined with plastic sheets put everyone on an equal footing; no one can visualize the play area. Without anticipating the shot, the players are positioned on their knees and dive to the ground at the sound of the ball to block the opponents’ shots with all parts of their body. The sound of the leather slapping against the players’ skin during the match is impressive. “I’ve had my nose broken and lost teeth because of impacts, so I wear a helmet now, in addition to a jockstrap, elbow pads, and knee pads,” exclaims Bernard. Visually impaired since birth, he joined the association in 2007 with his wife Lena, the club’s volunteer secretary and Torball referee. Between games, he shares his best memories: “We were consecutively champions of D4, D3, and D2, it was amazing. I took immense pleasure in traveling for international tournaments in Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.”
Solidarity, diversity, and sharing are values highlighted through the many sports within Anices. Each member can practice several disciplines among the ten activities offered: athletics, parasnowboarding, blind tennis, swimming, fitness, etc. This is the case for Olivier, a physiotherapist at l’Archet hospital. Originally from the Paris region, this visually impaired person found a second family within the group upon arriving in Nice in 2012. “Thanks to Torball, running, and tandem biking, I was able to meet people I can rely on and who make me forget my disability,” admits the 53-year-old man. Beyond the sporting aspect, the association creates strong bonds and gives a sense of group consciousness to its members. Gilles arrived four years ago, initially as an intern, he allowed himself to be won over by the adventure with this “great bunch of friends.” Today, the 27-year-old is a Torball player and D3 coach, alongside his job as a delivery driver.
Currently first in D1 Torball after the first half of the season, Nice has had a good start. Sébastien Filippini, President but also a participant, is confident for the second half and is preparing his troops for challenging competitions in June in Besançon. This former goalkeeper in the youth sections of OGC Nice, who became visually impaired in adulthood, has managed to instill this competitive spirit in his surroundings. For more than 10 years at the helm of his creation, he has been working with his partners on the development and raising awareness around sports adapted for people with disabilities. “Even if support is decreasing, I am proud of the work accomplished over all these years with the help of everyone. We go to schools to introduce young people and showcase our initiatives.” The training concluded with a warm, little buffet, keeping the convivial atmosphere alive.
In 2019, the recipe hasn’t changed, the right mix of good rapport and determination seems to still be the key to success. This is evidenced by the third place achieved in the D4 first phase by the reserve team 3 and the second-place podium achieved by team 2 of D3. Anices hopes for a year full of trophies, which would highlight the work of these brave men and women striving for everyone’s integration within our society.
