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?
Courses
Goalball UK offer 2 in person Coaching courses: School Leaders and Club Leaders. These are both 1 day courses, for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 people, that cost £500 in total (assuming that no venue costs are incurred by Goalball UK) so approximately £40 per person.
Additionally, they have a Referee course but prior experience of goalball is required to attend this. Online options are a bolt on goalball specific module for the UK Coaching/British Blind Sport Coaching Blind and Partially Sighted People course (£25 per person) and an Introduction to Officiating course (£10 per person).
Volunteering
They are currently delivering their competition tournaments across the UK and are looking for volunteers (students and staff opportunity) to support the delivery.
You don’t need any qualifications to volunteer, all they require is dedication and commitment. Whatever your skill set, the inclusive environment allows everyone to get involved. if you wish to volunteer with Goalball UK please contact Steve Cox at Steve.cox@goalballuk.com or call 07706286584.
Goalball UK 2024-25 Season Competition Calendar
Last updated: 3rd October 2024
Changes and Cancellations
Goalball UK reserves the right to make changes to the calendar. Our bookings are also subject to changes by venue providers. Examples include major events, academic ceremonies, open days, and closures.
Planned Competition Dates (in date order)
|
Date |
Event |
Location and Venue |
Status |
|
Saturday 14th September 2024 |
Coaching from the Bench Workshop - Option 1 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA |
Confirmed. |
|
Sunday 15th September 2024 |
Coaching from the Bench Workshop – Option 2 |
The Factory Young Peoples Centre, 5 Devon Way, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2TW |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September 2024 |
Super League - Tournament 1 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 5th October 2024 |
Intermediate League - North - Matchday 1 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 12th October 2024 |
Regional - Region B - Tournament 1 |
Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), Point4, Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 19th October 2024 |
Regional - Region A - Tournament 1 |
Parkside Leisure Centre, Parkside Road, Bradford, BD5 8EH. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 19th October 2024 |
Regional - Region C - Tournament 1 |
Chesterton Sports Centre, Gilbert Road, Cambridge, CB4 3NY. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 2nd November 2024 |
Intermediate League - South - Matchday 1 |
The Centre (Slough), Farnham Rd, Slough SL1 4UT and: Herschel Sports Centre, Herschel Grammar School, Whitby Rd, Slough SL1 3BW. The venues are a short walk apart. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 16th November 2024 |
Intermediate North - Matchday 2 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 23rd November 2024 |
The Cambridge Friendly
|
Cherry Hinton Village Leisure Centre, Colville Road, Cambridge, CB1 9EJ. Contact: Cambridge.dons@gmail.com |
Confirmed by Cambridge Dons. |
|
Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December 2024 |
Super League - Tournament 2 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 11th January 2025 |
Intermediate South – Matchday 2 |
Sports Park, University of Reading, Shinfield Road, Reading RG6 6DJ. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 25th January 2025 |
Regional - Region A - Tournament 2 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 25th January 2025 |
Regional - Region B - Tournament 2 |
John Mason School, Wootton Road, Abingdon, Oxford, OX14 1JB. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 25th January 2025 |
Regional - Region C - Tournament 2 |
Peter Symonds College, Owens Road, Winchester, SO22 6RX. |
Confirmed. |
|
Friday 7th – Sunday 9th February 2025 |
Malmo Open by FIFH Malmo |
To be confirmed by external organiser. |
|
|
Saturday 15th February 2025 |
Intermediate North - Matchday 3 |
St Peters School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB. |
Confirmed. |
|
Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd February 2025 |
European Club Champions League Stage |
Hosted by Fen Tigers at Oundle School Sports Centre, Milton Rd, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4AB |
Confirmed by Fen Tigers. |
|
Saturday 8th March 2025 |
This Girl Can Open |
The Factory Young People’s Centre, 5 Devon Way, Longbridge, Birmingham, B31 2TW. |
Confirmed. |
|
Sunday 16th March 2025 |
Intermediate League - South - Matchday 3 |
Iffley Road Sports Centre (University of Oxford), Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1EQ. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 29th March 2025 |
Regional - Region A - Tournament 3 |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 29th March 2025 |
Regional - Region B - Tournament 3 |
Sport Wales National Sports Centre, Sophia Close, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9SW. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 29th March 2025 |
Regional – Region C - Tournament 3 |
Watford Leisure Centre – Central, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3HA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April 2025 |
Super League - Tournament 3 |
Rugby School Sports Centre, Horton Crescent, Rugby, CV22 5DJ. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th April 2025 |
Goalball UK Referee Course (playing opportunity to support the course) |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May 2025 |
Intermediate Trophy 2025 - National |
English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA. |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 31st May 2025 |
Goalball UK Shield 2025 - National |
Loughborough University Netball and Badminton Centre, Towers Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TS |
Confirmed. |
|
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June 2025 |
Goalfix Cup 2025 - National |
St John’s Sports Hall, University of Worcester (St John’s Campus), Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ |
Confirmed. |
|
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th July 2025 |
Goalball UK International Teams Event - GBR Men & Women |
Surrey Sports Park, Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford, GU2 7AD. |
Event subject to team entries. |
|
28th September – 6th October 2025 |
European A Championships – GBR Men & Women |
Confirmed by IBSA. |
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:
