On Thursdays we put the spotlight on the people involved with goalball – from players, officials, coaches, supporters and more.
This week we caught up with Aaron Mitchell.
What club do you play for or coach?
I am a player and a coach for York St John Goalball Club as well as being a Goalball UK referee.
How did you discover goalball?
I first saw goalball being played on TV at the Tokyo Paralympics. I then discovered that there was a club based at my University so I went along to a few sessions and quickly got hooked! I then went to my first Goalball UK matchday as an Activator before qualifying as a referee. I have also been involved in delivering sessions in schools in York and went to the European Para Youth Games in the summer as Assistant Coach to the GB Men’s squad.
Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood?
I tend to listen to rap – old school Eminem is my go-to in the run up to a game.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
I don’t particularly have any rituals, but I always wear an undershirt when I play because it’s something I have always done in other sports ever since I was young.
Do you have a favourite post-match meal?
McDonalds! I love a post-match Chicken Mayo!
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
I’d say Joe Roper from Fen Tigers because his movement on court is so quick.
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I like to play a bit of badminton in my spare time with my flatmates. I also love a trip to the cinema.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
I would like to go to Australia because I have family over there and it would be nice to see them again.
To check out the rest of the articles from our ‘Featured Thursday’ series please use the following link Goalball UK – Featured Thursday.
