Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!
Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!We want to use our online platforms so the Goalball Family can get to know each other a bit better ahead of getting back on the court and playing our sport again!
This week we caught up with Dave Butler!
What club do you play for or coach?
Phoenix Blaze
How did you discover goalball?
I was working for MySight Nottinghamshire, where I was introduced to Faye Dale who also worked there and she introduced me to Goalball.
Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood? Or anything you’re loving at the moment?
Pre match for me is a play list of 90s rap and hip hop music, from Tupac to Biggie and everything in between, but the artist I’ve been loving through lockdown has been Sigrid, can’t wait to see her live again once we get back to some normality!
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
I always check my post is still in line once I’ve had my eye shades check, like the post has moved itself since I checked it one minute earlier ha!
What is your favourite post-match meal?
I love those loaded potato skins they serve in the hotel! I usually eat healthy foods at home, so I enjoy being a bit of a pig at the elite competitions!
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
Anyone under 5ft 8! Being vertically challenged myself, I have to respect anyone who is crushing it at the highest level in a sport where being tall is a genuine advantage!
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
From September, I’ll be studying sociology at Nottingham Trent University which I’m quite excited to get started on. I’m also a Nottingham Forest fan, but that hasn’t brought me any joy in recent years!! I’ve found most of my lockdown joys getting out with my guide dog and listening to audiobooks, I’ve read over 60 books since the first lockdown.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
I have always wanted to travel east to Asia, starting slightly south in Vietnam, up into Hong Kong and China then, visit both North and South Korea before heading to Japan. The different East Asian cultures and traditions have always fascinated me, and it’s almost always warm, perfect!!
