The Goalball UK Youth Forum
The Youth Forum was set up in 2021 with the ambition to introduce a voice for the youth of goalball. Since then the group has evolved and developed with members assigning themselves specific roles within the group, allowing them to have the autonomy to work under the supervision of Goalball UK’s Children and Young People Officer.
One of the Forum’s main roles will be to plan, deliver, and undertake a fundraiser followed by an event using the money raised in the following year. The Forum had high ambitions for this and successfully climbed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in September 2023 to raise money for Summer Camp to return in 2024! August 2024 then saw the successful running of Summer Camp 2024 by the Youth Forum (read the story here – goalballuk.com/youth-forum-lead-their-first-summer-camp). We can’t wait to share our plans for 2025 and beyond…!
Harry Bainbridge
Northern Allstars Goalball Club
How did you discover goalball?
Around five years ago, I attended a taster session which was organised by Sight Support Derbyshire and delivered by Goalball UK.
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I enjoy hiking in the countryside and meeting up with friends.
Why did you want to get involved in the Youth Forum?
I wanted to join the Forum after regularly engaging in Goalball UK youth initiatives and I am passionate about increasing the voice of young people in goalball!
Jacob Hare
Northern Allstars Goalball Club
What club do you play for?
I am currently a member of the Northern Allstars Goalball Club whilst I am studying at university, after starting my goalball journey at the Croysutt Warriors in Croydon.
Are there any other programmes you are involved with through Goalball UK?
I have recently been accepted onto the ‘#FindTheNext Goalball Academy’ and am hoping to continue working with Goalball UK in the future.
What do you do outside of goalball?
I also play VI cricket for Kent and have recently started playing VI football with Croysutt, I also take part in rock climbing and kayaking, all of which I really enjoy. As this may all suggest I am very outdoorsy and have been a member of the Scouts since I was 4, I am currently a young leader with our local Beaver and Cub sections.
Alleah Beard-Pace
South Wales Goalball Club
Other than the Youth Forum, how are you involved in goalball, and are there any achievements you are proud of?
I’m also part of the Goalball Academy. My favourite achievement from goalball is either being accepted into the Goalball Academy or getting top female goal scorer for Region B in the 2024/25 season!
What do you do outside of goalball?
Outside of goalball I like to hang out with friends, play piano and I attend a blind organisation in Cardiff called ‘UCAN’ where you take part in musical performances and drama games.
What made you want to be involved with the Youth Forum?
I decided to join the youth forum as I wanted to help promote goalball and have a say in its future.
Max Mackenzie
Birmingham Goalball Club
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a Birmingham Goalball player and have been involved in goalball since 2019. I got into goalball as I was looking for a sport to get into since the diagnosis of my genetic condition, Bardet Biedl Syndrome, and had initially played rugby for many years. Sport has been a big part of my life, which has enabled me to develop vital core principles throughout my time in sport, from the values of rugby: Respect, Teamwork, Enjoyment, and Discipline, which I hope to bring to the Youth Forum.
A person of respect, discipline, and hard work; giving one hundred percent effort. I am passionate about goalball, and throughout my time within the sport I have developed and grown as a person!
I have an enthusiasm for communities and a drive to make a positive impact within sport and society. I am excited to work with Youth Forum members to solve challenges and find solutions to problems, looking to provide opportunities and be a positive role model to both new and existing players through the Youth Forum. I am determined to hear everyone’s opinions and ideas on the Forum.
What do you do outside of goalball?
In my spare time away from the Youth Forum, I watch a lot of different sports; one of my many interests is being a huge Burton Albion FC supporter, where I can be spotted on match days at the Pirelli Stadium.
Alongside my studies as a Materials Engineering student at Loughborough University, I’m working to actively aid the development of Goalball opportunities on campus with partners. But I also remain engaged in local politics, particularly within my constituency Labour Party, developing conversations on a range of important issues to support positive local change. Outside of this, I have a creative passion as a writer of poetry.
What is something that inspires you?
One of my favourite quotes from one person that I do admire is the great Ayrton Senna – “if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver”. You can interpret it how you wish but for me it is to show desire and ambition and that you have to take risks and make the most of the opportunities that arise.
Chelsea Hudson
Northern Allstars Goalball Club
How did you get involved with goalball?
Since I attended a have a go session of goalball at the age of six, I fell in love with the sport. However, I was a bit too young at the time to play. At nine years old I attended my first goalball competition. A year after, I started going to talent camps and then experienced my first international competition at the age of thirteen for the GB Woman Youth team in France.
What is your biggest achievement within goalball?
My greatest achievement was bronze at the World Youth Championships in Australia. This was a fantastic opportunity.
What do you hope to do within the Youth Forum?
By joining the goalball Youth Forum, I want to spread the word of goalball to give someone else the opportunities and enjoyment that I have got from goalball over the past ten years. The Youth Forum will give me new skills and I will make friends along the way.
What do you do outside of goalball?
Outside of goalball, I love to listen to audiobooks and play my flute.
I also enjoy walking my dog on a weekend and going adventuring in forests, beaches, waterfalls, and lakes with my family unsure of where we are going or where we will end up!
Phoebe Mabey
South Wales Goalball Club
How did you get involved with goalball?
I discovered and started playing goalball when I started at NCW (New College Worcester) in January 2020. Due to covid I wasn’t able to start to play goalball, however in October 2021 I finally started to play goalball and at my first tournament I scored 7 goals! I am coming towards the end of my time at NCW and not sure which goalball team I will play with once I leave. I am either looking at two possibilities which are Winchester or South Wales.
What do you hope to do within the Youth Forum?
I wanted to get involved in the youth forum to help young people with a vision impairment to find a passion for sports. Not only that but goalball isn’t that well known in the South West so I want to try and promote, not just for young people but also people in general around the South West so that they can also give it a go!
What do you do outside of goalball?
Outside of playing goalball I like to hang out with friends, sing, do some art and just chill out. I am currently in the middle of my GCSEs and about to leave NCW to go to a preforming arts college back at home in Somerset. The subjects I chose to take for GCSEs are History, Food Preparation and Nutrition as well as Drama. I did used to play a bit of VI cricket for Somerset VICC however I only ever managed to play in friendly matches and never became an actual member due to me being at school too much.
As well as being apart of Goalball UK’s Youth Forum I take parts in other programs. I attend a drama group called UCAN which is based in Cardiff which is for people who are blind and vision impaired. I am also also a Young Voice Volunteer for TPT (Tomas Pocklington Trust).
Leo Stubbs
Winchester Goalball Club
How did you discover goalball ?
I was about 5 years old when I was introduced to Adam and Dave Knott and their family, They told me about an amazing sport called goalball and Adam had told me that her runs a club of his own and he invited me come and try it out. I loved it that much I have been playing with this club ever since.
Are there any other programs that you are involved with through Goalball UK?
Along with being a member of the Youth Forum I am also a player on the Goalball UK Performance Pathway attending on the talent program and wish to progress through the pathway in the future.
Why did you want to get involved in the Youth Forum?
I wanted to join the Youth Forum because I had previously witnessed the amazing changes that they had made the the community and I really like that, and I thought to myself that I would like to help them make a positive change within the community and hope to get some great experiences from the Youth Forum during my time with the team.
Kali Holder
Northern Allstars Goalball Club
Why did you want to get involved in the Youth Forum?
I wanted to get involved in the Youth Forum because I’m passionate about making a difference in my community and believe young people should have a voice in shaping the future. The Forum provides a platform to share ideas, collaborate with others, and work on initiatives that address real issues affecting us. I saw it as an opportunity to grow as a leader, learn from others, and contribute to something meaningful
What is your biggest achievement within goalball?
While I’ve had the incredible honour of representing Great Britain at major goalball competitions, I’d say my biggest achievement is the personal growth I’ve experienced through the sport. Being part of a community that’s constantly evolving has helped me develop not only as an athlete, but as a person. The connections I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, and the chance to grow alongside others have been just as meaningful than any medal or title
How do you think the Youth Forum could be used to help young voices in goalball be heard?
The Youth Forum can be a powerful platform to help young voices in goalball be heard by creating direct channels for feedback, ideas, and lived experiences to reach decision makers. It can give young players the chance to influence how the sport grows. Whether that’s improving accessibility, shaping events, or making sure youth perspectives are part of national conversations. By encouraging open discussion and involving more young people in leadership, the Forum can help build a sport that truly reflects the community it serves.
Aaron Mitchell
Goalball UK Activator and Referee
How did you get involved with goalball?
I first saw goalball during the Tokyo Paralympics when I was on holiday. Following that I got involved in goalball through York St John Goalball Club where over the last 3 years I’ve played, coached, and done the referees course. I was also an assistant coach for the European Para Youth games and an International Technical Official the the IBSA World Games 2024.
What do you hope to do within the Youth Forum?
I wanted to join the Youth Forum to be able to contribute to making sport accessible for people with a visual impairment and hopefully helping people find their passion for sport!