On Thursday 6th November, British Blind Sport held their 50th Anniversary Awards and Celebration Dinner at the Mallory Court Hotel in Leamington Spa. In attendance were athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and advocates from across the sport and sight loss community.
In total, 7 awards were presented. Most notably, the 50th Anniversary Legacy Award for “someone whose long-term commitment has shaped the direction and success of sport for blind and partially sighted people” went to the ‘Godfather’ of goalball, Clive Spencer. Whilst the Inclusive Coaching Recognition Award for “someone whose coaching career has directly improved inclusion, participation and performance opportunities for those with sight loss” went to longstanding Goalball UK staff member Kathryn Fielding.
Mark Winder, Goalball UK CEO said:
“On behalf of the entire team at Goalball UK, I wanted to extend our deepest gratitude for the ongoing and steadfast support of British Blind Sport.
The relationship between our organisations is truly invaluable. We also offer our sincere congratulations on your recent Awards Dinner – it was a fantastic celebration that highlighted the incredible achievements of the entire sight loss sporting community.
As British Blind Sport celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are filled with enthusiasm and excitement. Goalball UK is committed to working side-by-side with you to ensure everyone who is blind or partially sighted has the opportunity to discover and thrive through sport. We look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration for the next 50 years and beyond!”
Congratulations to all of the other winners – full details can be found on the British Blind Sport website.
In addition to the awards presentation and the dinner, there was a sealed auction with sporting memorabilia to bid for (which remains open until Sunday 23rd November).
There was also a bespoke poem written and read by Dave Steele, the Blind Poet, that brilliantly encapsulated everything:
For fifty years the torch has shone,
A beacon built through love and fight,
It started small, a dream to share,
And grew into this hall tonight.
They opened doors where none had been,
Inviting hands to reach, to play,
For those who thought that sport had gone,
New hope was found in joy that day.
A child who’d never kicked a ball,
Was told “you can, come join, explore,”
And laughter rose as goals were made,
The fear replaced with something more.
A runner found a guiding hand,
A swimmer learned the lanes by sound,
Each simple step became a leap,
Where freedom, strength, and hope were found.
It wasn’t only champions made,
But confidence in hearts once shy,
A place where strangers soon felt home,
A chance to spread their wings and fly.
For fitness builds far more than health,
It mends the soul, it lifts the mind,
It teaches all who take that step,
Together no one’s left behind.
From cricket fields to goalball courts,
From tandem bikes to tracks of red,
Each sport a language all can speak,
Each moment words could not have said.
They taught the world to truly see,
Through understanding, hearts align,
For knowledge shared brings brighter days,
And helps each hidden star to shine.
Through partnerships the pathway grew,
Together dreams were made anew,
Each coach, each guide, each volunteer,
Each hand that lifts, each voice that cheers.
For talent, too, the pathway grew,
From grassroots dreams to medals worn,
Paralympic fires were lit,
From seeds of courage once forlorn.
Yet still the heart beats just the same,
Not trophies held, but lives made whole,
For BBS has always known,
That sport restores and lifts the soul.
For every age, for every voice,
In every place, we share the choice,
To move, to try, to take our part,
And feel the flame within the heart.
And now we stand together here,
To honour all that’s come before,
To pledge that in the years ahead,
We’ll build on this, and still do more.
So rise with pride, all gathered now,
For history’s written by our song,
British Blind Sport has shown the world,
That courage makes the weak grow strong.
The flame still burns its light will guide,
Each path we tread, each dream we chase,
For fifty years we’ve changed the game,
And now the future takes its place.
So lift your hearts for all who’ve played,
For every mark their courage made,
For all who’ve shaped this noble cause,
Let’s fill this room with proud applause.
