Each week we are digging through the Goalball UK archives to look back at some of our favourite memories from the sport from years gone by.
To celebrate National Volunteers Week 2020, we are looking back at last year’s Keith Lound Memorial Award winner, Emma Evans, whose extraordinary volunteering efforts were recognised with this prestigious prize.
Emma has tirelessly promoted the sport as well as raising tens of thousands of pounds for Goalball UK in the last few years.
Along with her sons, Emma formed and spearheaded Fen Tigers Goalball Club, which has become one of the biggest and most successful in the country. This has created goalball opportunities for many visually impaired people in Cambridgeshire, helping to reduce isolation in this community by harnessing the power of team sport.
Emma’s commitment to the sport is also noticeable on the court. In a coaching capacity, she led Fen Tigers to international success at the Malmö Open European Goalball tournament, taking home the gold medal last year.
When Emma was presented with the Keith Lound Memorial Award, Mark Winder, chief executive of Goalball UK, said: “Emma would be an asset to any organisation. She has been a wonderful ambassador for Goalball UK since becoming involved in the sport. Emma has supported us in fundraising and has helped us to raise a staggering amount that has been essential as the sport continues to grow.”
The Keith Lound Memorial Award goes to someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist in the development, facilitation and improved participation of the sport of goalball. They might have taken more responsibility, gone extra miles, been particularly helpful and all this, very often in a quiet and unassuming way. The award can go to anyone involved in goalball – from players and coaches to officials and volunteers.
To nominate someone for this year’s Keith Lound Memorial Award, please CLICK HERE.
The deadline for nominations is Friday 12th June 2020 at 5pm. Nominations will then be shortlisted and voted on by The Club and Competitions Committee.
