Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials, coaches, or anyone
This week we caught up with Khalil Richard!
What club do you play for or coach?
I play for South Yorkshire.
How did you discover goalball?
I played a little bit at secondary school (Tapton in Sheffield) and at Sheffield Actionnaires. When I was 13, I then joined South Yorkshire Goalball Club and have been playing ever since. I think my first tournament was in Hull in December 2011.
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?
I like to listen to jazz music on a morning to help me chill out. I also like Yemeni music which reflects my heritage and is usually guitar based.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
I always make sure that I pack my bag the night before as it is often an early start to travel to tournaments. I then like to get a good night’s sleep. In the morning, I can’t leave the house before having a coffee!
Do you have a favourite post-match meal?
I try to have some protein, to help my muscles start to recover, so grilled chicken or steak is good. I also sometimes have a slice of cheesecake as a treat.
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
I’m grateful to Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) – especially Cheryl Swift – who supported me a lot when I was growing up and first started playing goalball. At South Yorkshire, we are a big family, we all support each other but I definitely look up to Caleb Nanevie and Anthony O’Keefe and am inspired by what they have achieved.
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I play VI cricket. I also enjoy listening to football commentary on the radio. I have a soft spot for Sheffield Wednesday, but I follow any football game – in every league and competition. I also enjoy watching Netflix. I like documentaries and dramas like Narcos.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
Egypt. I have been before but only for a short trip so would like to go again to have more time to visit the museums and learn about the culture.
