Mark winder stood with the attendees of the 2017 goalball summer campEach 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.

Around this time of the year, we would normally be looking forward to our annual Summer Camp. As it is unfortunately not taking place this year, we are revisiting one of our favourites from 2017.

Goalball UK’s Summer Camp is a fantastic opportunity aimed at aspiring goalballers to work with experienced coaches, learn new skills, improve their knowledge of the game, make new friends and compete against players from other clubs across the UK.

However back in 2017, there was a new face on the scene that wanted to take to the court for the very first time – that was our CEO Mark Winder.

Mark had been with the organisation for a few months at this point and the Summer Camp that year was the perfect opportunity for Mark to get stuck in and give the sport a go.

Following a crash course in technique and communication from Dan Roper, Mark lined up with Stuart Hudson and Meme Robertson, who have both gone on to progress through the Goalball UK talent pathway and have represented Great Britain at junior and senior level.

Mark recalled in a blog post at the time, “the sensation of putting those eye shades on and removing the most reliant sense of a sighted person was unnerving and the support of my two teammates was vital. Stuart and Meme encouraging me throughout my experience was crucial. An unusual feeling in itself, given I am nearly three times their age.”

After the game, Mark spoke glowingly about his experience, and in particular, about lining up with Stuart and Meme.

Mark’s full reaction to the Summer Camp in 2017 and playing goalball for the first time can be found here:

https://goalballuk.com/mark-winder-reflects-on-his-first-six-months-as-ceo/

We’d love to hear everyone’s memories of your experiences at Goalball UK Summer Camps on social media!