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Goalball

Goalball Icon

Goalball

The object of the game is to score a goal by bowling the ball along the floor so that it crosses the goal line of the opposing team.

Get Involved

An Overview of Goalball

Goalball is an exciting indoor, 3-a-side team sport, of attack and defence.

The aim of the game is to throw the ball along the floor into the opposition's goal before then defending your own goal. The team with the most goals wins.

Benefits

  • Meet new people
  • Develop communication and teamwork skills
  • Develop mobility

Involvement

To find your nearest club, visit the Club section of the Goalball UK website.

There are 3 levels of play within the Goalball UK National League (Novice, Intermediate & Elite). There are league competitions at all levels, both regionally and nationally. Each level of play has one National Cup competition every season. Goalball UK also runs individual entry tournaments, allowing players to play with people from other clubs across the country.

Goalball made its Paralympic debut in at the 1976 Paralympic Games, with the women's event being added at the 1984 Paralympic Games. The International Blind Sport Federation governs goalball and holds World Championships every four years.

Sight classifications are important to ensure fair and equal competition. Success at competitions should be defined by an athlete's skill and ability, not their impairment. The sight classifications should give all athletes the confidence that they are competing against others equally.

Useful Links

Adaptations and Equipment

To play goalball you will need sportswear, eye shades, and padding. The use of eyeshades means that even fully sighted players can participate domestically.

The ball contains internal bells so players can track its movement via sound alone. Spectators and teams on the side remain silent during play to allow players to hear the ball.

The court is marked out with tactile lines so players can feel where they are.

Find Goalball Clubs/Groups Near You

Use the search below to find local organisations near you.

National Governing Bodies

Goalball UK

Contact Name
General Information
Contact Telephone
0114 223 5670
Sport England

Sport England

Sport England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create sporting habits for life.

Goalball

Nottinghamshire Sheriffs Goalball Club

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

A online meeting for Sports Club Welfare & Safeguarding Officers based in Somerset.

You're invited to attend our club welfare forum for anyone involved in sport and physical activity in Somerset, but in particular those in your clubs who hold the role of 'club welfare officer' or 'safeguarding lead'.

If you're the Safeguarding or Welfare Officer at your Sports Club, please join Tracey Sweetland, Somerset Sport Welfare Officer at SASP to learn about local support and opportunities to assist you in your volunteer role.

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

A online meeting for Sports Club Welfare & Safeguarding Officers based in Somerset.

You're invited to attend our club welfare forum for anyone involved in sport and physical activity in Somerset, but in particular those in your clubs who hold the role of 'club welfare officer' or 'safeguarding lead'.

If you're the Safeguarding or Welfare Officer at your Sports Club, please join Tracey Sweetland, Somerset Sport Welfare Officer at SASP to learn about local support and opportunities to assist you in your volunteer role.

Competitions and Events Officer

An exciting opportunity to work within our Development Team to lead, develop, and deliver our domestic and international competitions and events. We are looking for a skilled, enthusiastic, and innovative person to take this vital area of our work forward.

Registered Charity in England and Wales (1168093). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 10009918. Registered office: 19 Coventry Road, Cubbington, Leamington Spa, CV32 7JN