Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!
Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!We want to use our online platforms so the Goalball Family can get to know each other a bit better ahead of getting back on the court and playing our sport again!
This week we caught up with Mark Winder.
What is your role at Goalball UK?
CEO
How did you discover goalball?
In 2017 I was looking for a role within an Governing Body. My career for the past twenty years has been summed up by Nelson Mandela:
“Sport has the power to change the world, It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”
I saw the advert for the role I am lucky to hold and watched our Transforming Lives video. I was hooked. I had found a sport that actually did it, rather than the sport as a vehicle.
Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood?
It is usually a long drive for me and I would be listening to Radio X. Unless there was a cricket match on and then it would be Radio 5 Live.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
It is a long time since I played sport, but I would always pack my bag for any sport the night before.
Do you have a favourite post-match meal?
I will usually get home and order a curry (chicken madras).
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
It is unfair to name any individual. I think I admire all, however I also admire our officials, coaches and the volunteers. Giving up their time to make sure the sport can happen.
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I enjoy reading and watching movies when I have downtime.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
Where I would really want to go is Tokyo in 2021, Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028… But only if it is to Watch a Great Britain team in the Paralympics.
