Goalball
A Paralympic team sport designed for athletes with visual impairments. Players roll a ball with embedded bells into the opponent’s goal while using sound and touch to defend their own goal.
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.
Equipment
Soft eyeshades (aka blindfolds) that are machine washable can be bought cheaply, in bulk, from a variety of sources (including Amazon).
It is important that the ball used is appropriate for the age and ability of the players - official goalballs can be bought from Goalfix Sports but for new players Goalball UK recommend the 20cm/540g (Orange) goalball from Bishop Sport and Leisure.
To make the court tactile you can use string and tape, throw down lines or multipurpose mats.
Clubs
Goalball UK have a network of affiliated clubs around the country - some are training only, some are competition only and some are training and competition. All of our affiliated clubs must meet (or be actively working towards meeting) our Minimum Standards.
We are always looking to work with partnership organisations to develop new clubs in new areas. Like any sport, for a goalball club to be successful (and sustainable) what is needed is a sufficient number of participants, a committed workforce, a suitable venue and ongoing funding.
Competitions
The Goalball UK season runs from September to June/July. There are 3 levels of competition - Regional (A, B and C), Intermediate (North and South) and Super League. Some clubs just have 1 team at 1 level whereas others have multiple teams at multiple levels. Tournaments take place around the country (on a Saturday and Sunday). They are all free to enter so spectators so can come and go (between games) as they wish. Coaching and Officiating
Goalball UK offer 2 in person Coaching courses:
- School Leaders
- Club Leaders
These are both 1-day courses for which no prior experience of goalball is required.
Online options are a bolt on goalball specific module for the UK Coaching/British Blind Sport Coaching Blind and Partially Sighted People course and an Introduction to Officiating course. We also have some free to download coaching resources hosted by PE Office. Additionally, we have a Coach Development Series and a Referee course but prior experience of goalball is required to attend these.
Venues
Goalball UK are always looking for venues to host tournaments at (as well as courses). We need exclusive access (due to the impact of noise) to a typical 4 badminton court size sports hall - preferably with a volleyball court marked - with a wooden sprung floor. Reasonably close proximity to a mainline train station (and hotel) is also important.
Activators (Volunteers)
Goalball UK are always looking for Activators to help at tournaments, community clubs, taster days, school festivals, etc. Roles are wide ranging so volunteers don’t necessarily need to be ‘sporty’. For example, a community club might need someone to help with their social media or to look after guide dogs during training sessions.
Team building events
Goalball UK deliver Team building events - these are bespoke goalball taster days designed around participating numbers, available time, suitable space, variable budgets, desired outcomes, etc.