Woking now has a recent avenue for Paralympic sport participation thanks to Leah Seabourne, who is launching the Surrey Goalball Club. Seabourne, a Woking resident, established the club after discovering a gap in local sporting opportunities for visually impaired individuals. Her initiative aims to bring the dynamic team sport of goalball – designed specifically for athletes with blindness or partial sight – to the community.
Goalball, a fast-paced and inclusive sport, is played with a ball containing bells, allowing players to track its movement. Teams attempt to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while using auditory cues and strategic blocking. Seabourne’s passion for the sport began during her studies at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Herefordshire, where she played for several years. The RNC is a specialist residential college for people who are blind or partially sighted, offering education, training, and rehabilitation services according to Leah Seabourne’s LinkedIn profile.
“I played there for a few years and then I’ve come back home and we didn’t have a club round here, so that’s how I got into starting my own,” Seabourne explained. The Surrey Goalball Club held an initial taster session at Woking High School in February, providing an introduction to the sport for potential players and volunteers. Further sessions are planned, with details to be announced in the coming months.
What is Goalball?
Goalball is a unique Paralympic team sport that demands athleticism, strategy, and exceptional auditory skills. Players are blindfolded to ensure a level playing field, and the game relies heavily on listening for the sound of the ball, which contains bells. The objective is to roll the ball along the floor into the opposing team’s goal. Defensive players use their bodies to block the ball, creating a dynamic and physically demanding contest.
The sport was developed in 1946 by Hans Lorenz, a German educator working with veterans who had lost their sight during World War II. It was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto and became a medal sport at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville. The International Goalball Federation (IGF) governs the sport internationally.
Surrey Goalball Club: Building a Community
The establishment of the Surrey Goalball Club addresses a clear need for inclusive sporting opportunities in the region. Seabourne’s initiative not only provides a platform for individuals with visual impairments to participate in a competitive and engaging sport but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. The taster session at Woking High School was designed to introduce the sport to a wider audience and attract both players and volunteers.
The club’s formation comes at a time when awareness of Paralympic sports is growing, fueled by the success of athletes at events like the Paralympic Games. Goalball, in particular, is gaining recognition for its fast-paced action and inclusive nature. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) actively promotes participation in sports and physical activity for people with sight loss, recognizing the benefits for physical and mental wellbeing as highlighted in research on inclusive digital interactives.
Looking Ahead
Seabourne and the Surrey Goalball Club are currently focused on establishing a regular training schedule and recruiting new members. The club is open to individuals of all ages and abilities, regardless of prior sporting experience. The next steps involve securing a permanent training venue and developing a program to support both beginner and experienced players. The long-term vision is to build a thriving goalball community in Surrey and to compete successfully in regional and national competitions.
The Surrey Goalball Club’s launch represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sport. It’s a testament to Seabourne’s dedication and passion for goalball, and her commitment to providing opportunities for others to experience the benefits of this exciting Paralympic sport. We encourage readers to share this story and support the club’s efforts to grow the sport in the local community.
