news...

the 2010 World Goalball Championships will be held in Sheffield, 17th to 25th June

for more information go to ;- www.worldgoalball2010.com

Goalball is a three-a-side game developed for visually impaired people but it can also be played by individuals with full sight. The sport has three main features which distinguish it from games played by sighted people:


1. The ball contains internal bells which enable players to locate the ball during play


2. The game is played on a court with tactile markings to enable players to determine where they are on court


3. All players wear blacked out goggles or eyeshade's to ensure all players compete on an equal level.

Goalball in governed in the UK by British Blind Sport (BBS) who host a calendar of events which include the annual British Goalball Cup as well as a competition for schools. BBS run Senior GB Squads for men and women that compete in the European and World Championships and the Paralympic Games.

However, GB have not participated in recent Paralympic Games competitions and although it was originally hoped that at the London 2012 Games, ParalympicsGB would be represented in all the events, Goalball did not receive any funding in the recent U.K. Sport awards and it is unclear at this moment in time if and how a team will be raised for 2012.



For further information on this sport contact ;- Keith Lound, on tel ;- 02870 822681

New Club in Kent

We are trying to raise a Goalball Team in Kent, to be based both Cascades and Swanscombe Sports Centres in Gravesham.

This will be kicked off on Tuesday 1st April with an inter-schools competition were 8 Kent Schools with blind and visually impaired pupils will play each other. The day will also have a coaching session by two of the GB Team Coaches and a demonstration by several members of the GB Goalball Team.

To assist the development of the new club Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics has awarded a grant of £1,200 from the funds they administer on behalf of Kent Reliance Building Society

If you are interested in becoming involved please contact Mike Bishop

Goalball Club's across the south east

London
North London Goalball - Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak, Edgware HA8 0NJ. Sessions are free and run from 2.00-4.00pm on alternate Saturdays. All levels are welcome. For more information contact LSF on (tel) 020 7354 8666

Goalball team in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire - MK Vipers. For more details contact Patricia Moynihan

Toynbee School Team, in Hampshire

Contact Graham Carter (Head of PE at VI Unit) at Toynbee School, in Chandlers Ford.

Sessions are run fortnightly on Tuesday's
The Kent Disability Sport Associate Officer for Goalball is Hugh Elsegood