Large group photo of GB Men, Women , support staff and coaches.

GB High Performance squads

Grid of images showing the GB women headshots with text at the bottom which reads Meet GB Women and an arrow pointing right
Grid of images showing the GB men headshots with text at the bottom which reads Meet GB Men and an arrow pointing right

Goalball UK is reviewing the high-performance programme as we aim to improve what is being delivered to support player progression. Utilising our resources, we want to provide a programme that is aligned to our strategic ambitions in the short, medium, and long term. We are entering into a period of transition which is exciting for the sport.

2023 promises to be big a year for high performance goalball from both a delivery perspective, but also with the major events that will take place. August 2023 sees the IBSA World Games coming to Birmingham in which both our men’s and women’s teams will compete. This is a multi-sport event which will showcase the very best of visual impairment sport, as well as high performance goalball. In addition, 2023 will see the GB Women involved in the European A Championships, and there is hope the GB Men will also compete, however, we are awaiting official confirmation from IBSA regarding their promotion from division B.

December 2022 – November 2023 represents our Paris 2024 Paralympic Qualification period, and we are working hard to achieve this goal. However, we are also looking longer term as we strive to improve and be best prepared for the Los Angeles 2028 Cycle.

Goalball made its Paralympic debut in Toronto, Canada, in 1976, with the women’s event being added at the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York, USA.

The first World Championships for goalball were held in Vocklamarck, Austria, in 1978. 

The International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) governs goalball and holds World Championships every four years, in between the Paralympic Games.

Goalball is played exclusively by athletes who are blind or partially sighted. It was invented in 1946 to help rehabilitate veterans who had lost their sight during the Second World War.

Documentation