A new goal to aim for
How Sidney is balancing studies and elite sport with his best mate by his side
Ahead of the International Blind Sport Federation World Games in Birmingham this month, Contact sat down with UQ student Sidney Whipp to find out how he’s balancing first-year studies and representing Australia in goalball – with his best friend Quarry by his side.
Like a lot of kids growing up in Cairns, Sidney Whipp loved spending time outdoors – particularly playing soccer. Unlike most kids, Sidney was legally blind.
Sidney was born with a vision impairment that left him with limited sight.
“Our family has that connection with nature – going camping and going to the beach all the time. We had a boat and would go fishing and snorkelling, which was always really fun,” the first-year Bachelor of Arts (Politics/International Relations) student said.
“I was classified as legally blind, however I could still read print books… [and] I played soccer.”
But when Sidney was 10, his vision dramatically deteriorated. His condition left him at risk of retinal detachments, which are usually sudden and severe.
“I remember the Monday morning at school. I was in class – it was the last week of Year 5 – and we were just doing normal maths. Suddenly, a purple haze came over my eyes and I couldn’t do anything,” he said.
Within the hour Sidney was at the hospital, where doctors confirmed he had 2 retinal detachments. The next day, he was flown to Brisbane for surgery.
“It was very scary. I was only 10 and it’s quite weird as a 10-year-old having everyone fuss around you; all these instruments poking at your eyes, and all these people talking to your mum about what sort of conditions you have.”
Today, Sidney can see blurred shapes, colours and light out of his left eye, while his right eye is completely blind apart from a small amount of light.
Sidney credits his parents with setting him up to deal with such a major change in his life.
“Because they knew there was always a possibility that my vision would get a lot worse, they made sure to also teach me a lot of skills that a totally blind person might need, like Braille reading and good orientation skills,” he said.
“So, although it was scary, I also don’t think I was as scared as someone who was totally unprepared would have been.”
One of the biggest blows to Sidney after his retinal detachments was discovering that he could no longer play soccer. He returned to training, but struggled to keep up.
When he tried to play his first match, he found himself stumbling around the field, with no idea what was happening in the match.
“That’s when it switched in my head that things had changed – what I used to be able to do, I can’t do anymore,” he said.
“That was a big, scary moment.”
But a new opportunity opened up to Sidney soon after in the form of goalball – a sport designed for vision-impaired athletes.
Goalball was invented after World War 2, to provide a physical outlet for soldiers who had lost their vision during the war.
Six players in total – 3 on each side – compete on a court a little smaller than a basketball court. They take it in turns to roll the ball across the court and past the defending team, to get it into the goal at the other end.
Athletes with a range of visual impairments can take part, and each player wears gauze eye patches and a blackout mask during competition.
Play can be rough at times, with the 1.25kg rubber ball being thrown at speeds of up to 70km/h.
What is goalball? Watch the video to find out.
Sidney had tried goalball in the past, but due to his other commitments he hadn’t had time for it. Suddenly it seemed like the perfect solution, and within a week or 2 of giving up soccer, he started playing goalball.
“I think the thing I enjoy most is that it’s a completely equal playing field,” he said.
“Not one person has, in terms of sight, any advantage over another person.”
Besides enjoying the sport itself, Sidney discovered the positive social aspects of connecting with other visually impaired players.
“Your friends who play with you are also blind, so you can really relate and have fun, and you don’t have to worry about missing out on things that others can see.”
Sidney quickly showed an aptitude for the sport, and within a few months he was competing at the Australian Goalball Championships, where he was the highest goal scorer in the junior division and named in the Junior All Star 6.
“That was the moment when I felt like I was actually pretty good at this sport and wanted to keep going with it.”
Sidney continued to balance goalball with his schooling, and in 2021 – when he was in Year 11 – he was invited to attend a youth camp in Sydney. He was then invited to a training camp in Japan last year with 5 other Australian players, where he realised he had the potential to transition to the men’s squad.
“I held my own, I scored a few goals, [and] I think I showed myself that I had the building blocks to play at that level.”
Sidney officially made the switch to the men’s team early this year and started training in earnest for the International Blind Sport Federation World Games in Birmingham, starting on August 18. The Australian men's side finished 12th in the tournament overall.
At the same time, he has been settling into a completely new environment at UQ, and his new home at Cromwell College.
He said he’s received extensive support from both UQ and the college, who have helped him with everything from educational support to orienting around campus.
He said he is enjoying the opportunity to pursue his interests in current affairs and world politics, especially coming from a high school with a strong focus on STEM subjects.
“I really enjoy the group discussions and talking to other people who share my interests, and I’m finding all the lecturers to be really friendly and engaging,” Sidney said.
“I’m really enjoying what I’m studying, and I can’t wait to keep going.”
Sidney said he's also grateful for the support UQ has offered him in balancing his sporting commitments with his studies.
“Thankfully I’m part of the elite athlete program at UQ, which means my lecturers and course coordinators can actually take my sport into account, which is really handy for things like assignments.”
UQ student Sidney Whipp with his seeing eye dog Quarry. Image: Marc Grimwade
His constant companion through the move to Brisbane was his seeing eye dog Quarry, who he was paired with through Vision Australia in March last year.
Quarry’s trainer flew up from Melbourne with him, and Sidney and Quarry spent 3 weeks training together after Easter.
“It’s all about knowing how to work with him, knowing what he likes and what he doesn’t like, how to correct him if he makes mistakes, things like that,” Sidney said.
They started with the basics, then moved into the high school setting, learning how Quarry could guide Sidney around the school, and sit under his seat in the classroom.
This hard work helped make the transition to university easier for both of them.
“By halfway through last semester, Quarry was learning how to go to the different classes, he was learning which traffic lights I used, which doors I went through, and which stairs I like to go up,” Sidney said.
“While the transition takes time, and learning how to use a dog takes time, it is really beneficial.”
Quarry has become a bit of a star on campus and at Cromwell College.
“When he’s got his harness off, he’s just a normal dog,” Sidney said.
“He’s pretty famous, but he’s like a college pet – everyone loves him a lot. He’s always sneaking out of my room to the dining hall, with everyone out there.”
But the attention can come with its downsides. Sidney said while most people are respectful, some will pat Quarry without asking, which is strongly discouraged.
Not only is Quarry working, but if Quarry gets distracted, it could be dangerous for both of them.
“Imagine if you’re working and you’ve suddenly got someone trying to pat you, touch you, and speak in funny voices at you,” Sidney said.
“It can be pretty distracting and hard for you to concentrate on your role, which in this case is to protect me and make sure I don’t get injured.”
Quarry stays with Sidney’s family in Cairns while he’s travelling for goalball, which means, for every trip, he needs to factor in the extra travel time to get Quarry to his family home.
This adds to both the cost and time commitments that come with playing goalball at an elite level.
So what’s next after Birmingham? Sidney is hoping for a quieter year next year to allow him to dedicate more time to his studies, with plans to pursue a career in diplomacy or intelligence.
And of course he hopes goalball will continue to be a major part of his life, with aspirations to represent Australia at the 2032 Paralympics in Brisbane.
“People in international goalball play until their late 30s or early 40s, so I want to keep playing as long as possible.”
Golden moment for equality in sport
UQ has partnered with Paralympics Australia to put Brisbane on track for 2032 glory.
UQ student Sidney Whipp with his seeing eye dog Quarry. Image: Marc Grimwade
UQ student Sidney Whipp with his seeing eye dog Quarry. Image: Marc Grimwade
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