Goalball UK has been awarded £950,000 by UK Sport and Sport England to support its Performance Pathway Programme in the run-up to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
It follows the disappointment of both men’s and women’s teams failing to deliver medals at any level, as well as not qualifying for last year’s Paralympics.
A series of programme reviews, resulting in several much-needed changes in both personnel and structure, was the catalyst for the long-term funding and increased investment.
“Thank you to UK Sport and Sport England for their support of the necessary changes within our Performance Pathway Programme,” said John Grosvenor, Goalball UK Chair.
“Goalball UK are committed to providing the best opportunities for athletes who are blind or partially sighted with the outcome being successful teams and Paralympic qualification.”
Goalball is a completely unique, dynamic team sport of skill, speed and accuracy for men’s and women’s teams that can be played by sighted, blind and partially sighted people.
Three players on each team try to score goals by firing a 1.25kg ball across the court and defending shots from the opposing team using their entire bodies, throwing themselves to the floor in front of a goal that spans the width of the pitch.
Players wear opaque eyeshades to ensure a level-playing field for all those taking part, whether completely blind or with less severe – but still acute – visual impairments.
The ball contains several bells so that players can locate its position. In addition, the goalball court is marked with raised lines so that players can feel their location at any time.
Goalball UK’s Performance Pathway Programme develops and selects athletes who will form teams to achieve the best possible results in competitions. To find out more visit https://goalballuk.com/
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