Goalball
What is Goalball?
Goalball is a 3-a-side indoor game of attack and defence designed for people who are blind and partially sighted. . Sighted people can also play as everyone wears eyeshades.
Goalball is an inclusive sport in that fully sighted players can also play domestically. This is because everybody is required to wear eyeshades so that nobody can see. Players therefore have to rely entirely on their other senses. The ball contains internal bells so players are able to track its movement by its sound, whilst the court is marked out with tactile lines so players can feel where they are. The idea of the game is quite simply to score goals by bowling the ball along the floor, past the opposing team.
At elite level the game is played over two halves of 12 minutes each according to the stop clock, so usually lasting for approximately 50 minutes. The court is the size of an indoor volleyball court (18m by 9m). Exclusive use of the sports hall is required because of the impact of noise.
The sport was originally devised in 1946 to help rehabilitate soldiers who had lost their sight during the war. It has been played throughout the world ever since, at the highest level, by people who are blind or partially sighted.
How can colleges get involved?
AoC Sport is working with Goalball UK to set up taster sessions as well as training up students on a number of Goalball UK courses, which you can view here. These opportunities will be exclusively offered to Inclusion Hub colleges and Inclusion Ambassadors in the first year. If you are interested in finding out more about the Inclusion Hub programme visit our webpage here
Colleges can set up their own teams (and take part in competitions), volunteer at their local club and/or at Goalball UK events and national competitions (e.g. Have a Go days, School Games, etc.), as well as deliver coaching and officiating qualifications.
If you are interested in getting involved with Goalball through volunteering, or setting up a taster session at your college email visit the website here or email Kathryn Fielding.
How can students get involved outside of college?
There are playing, coaching, officiating and volunteering opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Most community clubs charge subs of approximately £3 per session (plus an annual membership fee of approximately £20 per season). There are community clubs located across England, you can find your closest club by visiting Goalball UK’s website:

ECFA Committee Member

ECFA Committee Independent Representative

AoC Football Development showcases their successes

AoC Sport National Netball Team (x2 roles)

ECFA Committee Youth Representative

Tender process for the delivery of the Official Sportswear

Rising Leaders Pilot Success

AoC Sport Introducing - Tennis

Chester and Cheshire West Swimming Teacher Recruitment Academy

AoC Sport Introducing - Obstacle Sports

Vacancy - National Football Development Coordinator

British Esports Announces Finalists for Annual Student Champs LAN Finals

Winner of the Student Performer of the Year

University of Wolverhampton HE Partner for West Midands Regional Tournament

AoC Sport Introducing – British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training

AoC Sport receive Sport England funding to tackle inactivity

Exeter College Netball Team Win First Ever College Treble

Pearson to sponsor AoC Sport Annual Conference

AoC Sport Introducing – iGolf

Cup final and play-off results 2021/22

Lets #GoRowIndoor this Spring 2022

AoC Sport Introducing – Rounders

ECB College Workforce Hub Programme

South West announced Champions at 2022 AoC Sport National Championships

Summer College Rugby opportunities

British Dodgeball – College Opens

AoC Sport Introducing – Weightlifting

AoC Sport Fitness Trainer Competition 2022

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Boccia

AoC Sport Awards Applications Now Open

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Lacrosse

FA Women’s Football Apprenticeship Programme to recruit second round of apprentices

AoC Sport to Deliver Mental Health First Aid Training

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Archon Fitness Rating (AFR)

Opportunity to opt into new ECFA Accredited College Development Framework

AoC Sport update on competition schedule for 2021/22

Inaugural eco virtual challenges for colleges

Registrations open for AoC Sport FIFA Cup 2022

Fitness Trainer Competition winners announced for 2021
England Colleges hockey teams selected for 2021/22

England Colleges football squads selected for 2021/22

Players selected for 2021/22 AoC Sport England Colleges netball squad

Entries open for Indoor Athletics Championships

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Goalball

World Skills Fitness Trainer Competition returns in-person for 2021

AoC Sport Inclusion Hub Expansion

AoC Sport Introducing campaign - Dodgeball

VACANCY: Development Officer (Competitions)
College golfers take on challenging Celtic Manor course

BLOG: Sport England's Active Lives survey shows there are some positives for FE

New partnership uses sport and physical activity in colleges to promote sustainability and a healthy lifestyle

AoC Sport Introducing campaign: Indoor Rowing

Applications open for FA Women’s Football Apprentice Funding 2022-2024

New AoC Sport Introducing programme launched

ECFA launches Accredited Colleges Development Framework

Esports qualifications give young people skills to turn passion into profession

Ambassador recruitment launches for 2021/22

AoC Sport expands Inclusion Hub programme

National finalists chosen for WorldSkills UK Fitness Trainer Competition 2021
AoC Sport taking entries for Open Golf Championships

New indoor rowing workshop for colleges

Unique AoC National Futsal Series to start September 2021

Tournament organisers needed for 2021 Regional Tournaments

BLOG: Reflecting on the This Girl Can Ambassador programme

Tender open for monitoring and evaluation of AoC Sport football development projects

BLOG: Reflecting on the Inclusive Ambassadors programme

BLOG: Reflecting on the successes of the Mental Health Ambassador programme

AoC Sport partnership with Weston College wins national apprenticeship award

Colleges set to benefit from Rugby League World Cup legacy

AoC Sport host cricket and pan disability finals days

Winners of first Virtual Boccia Competition announced

Colleges take positives from Summer Series sports fixtures
AoC Sport Awards recognise achievements during pandemic

Report shows increased college engagement in AoC Sport virtual challenges during pandemic

Tender brief launched for ECFA Activator Programme project

Sign up to 2021/22 AoC Sport Leadership Academy

AoC Sport supports This Girl Can Week to inspire women to return to activity after lockdown

England Colleges National Teams selected for 2020/21

ECFA Development Fund application window opens

Applications Open for Rugby League World Cup Legacy Programme

BLOG: Looking to the future of sport and physical activity in FE

Nominate your inspiring students for AoC Sport Awards

AoC Sport to join social media boycott

Mental health crisis in the wake of Covid-19 – education is the answer

AoC Sport to run first ever virtual boccia competition for colleges

Apprentice's view behind the scenes of the Lunar Challenge

Applications open for ECFA Premier Leagues 2021/22

Successful Lunar Challenge had positive effects on wellbeing

10 reasons to attend the AoC Sport National Conference 2021

KJT Academy applications open for talented college students

National Careers Week: Profile of a Sports Development Officer at AoC Sport

National Careers Week: Profile of a Sports Development Officer

AoC Sport receives grant to grow grassroots rugby league in colleges

AoC Sport coronavirus update - 01.03.21

BLOG: How should we support college sport students to make good career choices?

AoC Sport coronavirus update - 24.2.21

AoC Sport launches revolutionary student fitness competition

New ECFA Activators get online support

AoC Sport and British Esports Association launch the AoC Sport FIFA 21 Cup
