Goalball UK

Goalball UK The official page for Goalball UK, proud charity and National Governing Body for the Paralympic sport Usually, the game lasts for approximately 50 minutes.

Goalball UK is the national governing body for the Paralympic sport of goalball in the United Kingdom. We are proud to be a registered charity, where our mission is to develop and promote the sport of goalball, creating opportunities for people with visual impairments to participate and compete at all levels. Goalball UK also provides support and guidance to players, coaches, officials, and clubs

across the country, with a focus on promoting inclusivity and equality in sport. We work closely with schools and community groups to introduce goalball to new players and raise awareness of the sport’s benefits. Through our partnerships with other organisations, Goalball UK strives to increase the visibility and accessibility of goalball, both nationally and internationally. We hosts events and three levels of competition throughout the year as well as running a high performance programme. As a sport, goalball offers a unique and exciting experience for players and spectators alike. With its emphasis on teamwork, communication, and skill, goalball is a sport that is accessible to all. 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. The idea of the game is to score goals by bowling the ball along the floor, past the opposing team. Goalball is a truly 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 used in the game has internal bells that make noise, enabling players to track its movement. Meanwhile, the court has tactile lines, which allows players to feel where they are. To win the game, players must throw the ball (along the floor) into the opposing team’s goal while protecting their own goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game is the winner. At the elite level, the game consists of two halves of 12 minutes each, following the stop clock. To find your nearest Goalball club, please visit the club teams section of the Goalball UK website. Link: https://goalballuk.com/the-sport/clubs/ or register your interest by calling 0114 2235670 or emailing [email protected].

🇬🇧 The 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Hangzhou have concluded, and what an incredible test it was for our wom...
19/06/2026

🇬🇧 The 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Hangzhou have concluded, and what an incredible test it was for our women’s squad 💪

Competing against the world's best, including Paralympic gold and bronze medallists China and Türkiye, provided a vital benchmark for the team. While the results were a stretch, finishing 11th overall after a solid 13-6 final win against Poland has given us real clarity on what we need to do to make a consistent impact at this level.

As our CEO Mark Winder said, the final ranking does not capture the full picture of the resilience and tactical growth the team showed under immense pressure. We are incredibly proud of the squad and the entire staff team for their dedication 🔵💙

Read the full tournament review 👉 https://goalballuk.com/ibsa-goalball-world-championships-2026-great-britain-women-gain-vital-experience-in-hangzhou/

Now, our focus shifts to the men’s squad. They are currently in their final training block ahead of the IBSA European B Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece. We are looking forward to sharing updates on their journey with our goalball community over the coming weeks.

- Goalball UK are delivering two Goalball School Leaders Courses in Sussex this July!📅 Wednesday 8th and Friday 10th J...
17/06/2026

- Goalball UK are delivering two Goalball School Leaders Courses in Sussex this July!

📅 Wednesday 8th and Friday 10th July
🌍 8th July - The Angmering School (BN16 4HH)
🌍 10th July - Willingdon Community School (BN20 9QX)
🕰️ 09:30 - 14:30 (both dates)

Places are just £30! Want to learn how to deliver goalball in your education or community setting? Sign up now 👉 https://goalballuk.com/the-sport/coaching/

Active Sussex, West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council

Proud to be recognised 🔵💙It is fantastic to see goalball highlighted in the new Department for Education (DfE) enrichmen...
17/06/2026

Proud to be recognised 🔵💙

It is fantastic to see goalball highlighted in the new Department for Education (DfE) enrichment framework for schools and colleges.

As we continue to drive inclusive opportunities for young people across the country, having our sport acknowledged at a national policy level highlights the vital role goalball plays in school enrichment programmes. We are ready and waiting to support schools looking to diversify their PE and extracurricular offer.

You can view our resources and support for schools, including with our partners PE Office for secondary schools, here 👉 goalballuk.com/school/

Read the full DfE guidance here: gov.uk/government/publications/the-enrichment-framework-for-schools-and-colleges



Youth Sport Trust, Department for Education, PE Office, Sport England

🌟 We’re Hiring – Talent Officer! 🌟Help us transform lives through goalball and play a key role in developing the next ge...
16/06/2026

🌟 We’re Hiring – Talent Officer! 🌟

Help us transform lives through goalball and play a key role in developing the next generation of talented players across the UK.

Goalball UK is looking for a passionate, organised and people‑focused Talent Officer to support our Performance Pathway - from Talent ID and Aspire Days to the Goalball Academy. You’ll be at the heart of identifying and developing emerging players, working closely with clubs, coaches, partners, and young people.

If you want to work in a progressive, caring, and inclusive organisation that is bold in its words and actions and committed to reducing barriers for people with a visual impairment, this could be the perfect next step for you.

📅 Applications close: Monday 6th July 2026 at midday
📍 Interviews: Tuesday 21st July, English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, S9 5DA
🌍 Hybrid role with UK travel

👉 Full details & application form: goalballuk.com/work-with-us/vacancies

Come join us and help shape the future of goalball 🔵💙

From volunteer to visionary 💙After eight incredible years with Goalball UK, we’re saying goodbye to Alex Cockerham as he...
15/06/2026

From volunteer to visionary 💙

After eight incredible years with Goalball UK, we’re saying goodbye to Alex Cockerham as he begins an exciting new chapter as a police officer.

From first volunteering at a Sheffield tournament in 2018 to becoming a key figure in our talent pathway, Alex has made a huge impact on the goalball community. His work with the Goalball Academy has helped young blind and partially sighted players and emerging coaches grow in confidence, independence and belief.

Alex leaves behind a legacy of kindness, commitment and genuine connection, and he will be hugely missed by everyone at Goalball UK.

Thank you, Alex, for everything you’ve given to the sport. We wish you every success in your new career.

Read more about Alex's journey 👉 goalballuk.com/from-volunteer-to-visionary/

🇬🇧 the GB Women put in a good show this morning winning against Poland 13-6 👏The Women finished 11th overall in the comp...
15/06/2026

🇬🇧 the GB Women put in a good show this morning winning against Poland 13-6 👏

The Women finished 11th overall in the competition following some very tough games, including the Paralympic bronze and gold medallists in their group games. Thank you everyone at home for all your support 🔵💙

🇬🇧 after a tough game this morning with Greece winning 3-0, the GB Women will face Poland 🇵🇱 for 11th place in the 2026 ...
14/06/2026

🇬🇧 after a tough game this morning with Greece winning 3-0, the GB Women will face Poland 🇵🇱 for 11th place in the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships on Monday 15th June at 05:00BST.

You can tune in live, or watch the game back later in the day, 👉 https://www.youtube.com//streams

Lets get behind the ladies one last time 💪

This is your final chance to nominate for our End of Season Awards!Award categories:Keith Lound Service to Sport Award –...
14/06/2026

This is your final chance to nominate for our End of Season Awards!

Award categories:
Keith Lound Service to Sport Award – for someone who has gone above and beyond to develop the sport, support competitions, create opportunities and help others (often quietly and without fuss). Open to players, coaches, officials and volunteers (Goalball UK members only; previous winners ineligible).

Player of the Season Award – for an outstanding player who has excelled on court (attack/defence/leadership), contributed to team success and demonstrated positive sporting behaviour (Goalball UK members only).

New for this year: you can now nominate yourself for Player of the Season, and there are more accessible ways to submit nominations.

Deadline: Sunday 14th June 2026

How to nominate

Details on how to submit your nomination can be found here - https://goalballuk.com/goalball-uk-end-of-season-awards-2025-26/

Please include: your full name, the nominee’s name, the award, and a brief description explaining how they meet the criteria.

If you have any issues completing your nomination, contact Dan Webster: [email protected] or 07526 169 288.

🇬🇧 after a dramatic game against Finland this morning, where GB scored a last second winner to finish 2-1, the GB Women ...
13/06/2026

🇬🇧 after a dramatic game against Finland this morning, where GB scored a last second winner to finish 2-1, the GB Women will take on Greece 🇬🇷 at 06:30BST on Sunday 14th June for the 9th to 12th placing game at the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships.

Don't forget you can tune in live, or watch the game back later in the day, 👉 youtube.com//streams

🇬🇧 following on from some tough group games, the GBR Women will take on Finland 🇫🇮 in the first stage of the 9th - 16th ...
12/06/2026

🇬🇧 following on from some tough group games, the GBR Women will take on Finland 🇫🇮 in the first stage of the 9th - 16th placing games at the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships 💪

It's an early one back in the UK, tune in at 05:00 BST on Saturday 13th June to get behind the ladies live 👉 https://www.youtube.com//streams

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English Institute Of Sport, Coleridge Road
Sheffield
S95DA

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