As another exciting season comes to a close, we are proud to announce and congratulate the winners of the Goalball UK End of Season Awards for the 2024/25 season. These individuals have exemplified the spirit of determination, teamwork, and inclusivity, leaving a positive effect on the goalball community!
2024-25 Player of the Season – Leo Stubbs (Winchester)
Leo’s commitment to training, both at Winchester Goalball Club and at Goalball UK’s Performance Pathway training camps this season, has been exceptional.
This season, Leo has made the progression from Academy to the Talent tier of the Goalball UK Performance Programme and attended his first trip abroad to the Netherlands with the programme.
His determination, hard work, and positive attitude to developing his game has paid off, this season he stepped up to Super League for the first time, where he demonstrated both his offensive and defensive skills.
At Intermediate level this season, Leo has been a consistently strong player and developed his leadership skills by becoming a trusted team member for fellow players and coaches. Leo has helped Winchester Goalball Club win the 2025 Intermediate Trophy and claim a Silver Medal at the Malmo Open. Individually Leo was the top male goal scorer in the 2024-25 Intermediate South League.
Away from competition, Leo has been supporting the Winchester Club at training sessions, and now a valued member of the Coaching Team. He can always be relied upon to set up and take down the court and assists in the coaching of more junior players in a mature and kind manner. Leo is also an active member of the Goalball UK Youth Forum.
We look forward to following Leo’s journey as he progresses through the sport!
2024-25 Keith Lound (Service to Sport) Award – Russ Sparkes (London Elephants)
For over 10 years Russ has been an instrumental part of the Goalball community.
Russ’s journey began in early 2014 when he participated in a taster session in Croydon. From that moment he was hooked and has been supporting players and the sport ever since.
Russ’s involvement has grown throughout the 10 years he has been volunteering and in 2018 Russ took the step into assisting with the coaching London Elephants Goalball Club. After the pandemic in 2022 Russ took the reigns as head coach. Russ has guided the club to now compete at all three levels of play in the Goalball UK leagues, achieving great success along the way.
At tournaments, Russ remains calm, focussing on his team to give them a positive playing experience. Russ is also appreciative of all the staff and volunteers, thanking everyone for their time after each game which, although a small gesture, sums up Russ’s personality.
Over the years Russ has also supported other Goalball UK events, including coaching at End of Season competitions and more recently at the This Girl Can Open in Birmingham.
Through his professional work within the Sight Loss community as a Senior Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, Russ promotes the sport to those he works with and encourages them to get involved. A real cheerleader for the sport!
Without people like Russ our sport doesn’t exist, so, on behalf of everyone within the Goalball community, thank you Russ!
You can watch the moment Leo and Russ received their awards, along with the entire Goalfix Cup 2025 presentation, via our YouTube channel – Goalfix Cup 2025 Presentation.