Just over a year ago there was very little goalball activity, or even knowledge of the sport in Wales, but that has now changed.
Building on partnerships established, a taster session was delivered to a group of young people in July who were attending an RNIB Cymru Residential Activity Break in Cardiff.
Then, in August, some junior players from the South Wales Goalball Club were invited to the Goalball UK Summer Camp at RNC in Hereford. Here they got to meet lots of other young goalballers as well as GB player Dan Roper (who is originally from Camarthen). A film crew also came along to record a programme that is due to be broadcast on S4C in January.
Another successful training session was held in Cardiff in mid-August, with yet more new players attending, and then in early September a number of experienced players went along to help with the Disability Sport Wales Insport Series event at Cardiff Met University.
The focus has now turned to Swansea with a launch event being held on Saturday 7th October as part of a wider programme organised by the Swansea Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) and RNIB Cymru. Under 16’s got to try goalball in the morning and then Over 16’s in the afternoon.
Further sessions, open to all age groups, have been planned for Saturday 21st October, Saturday 4th November and Saturday 18th November. These are all from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the Pavilion Gym at Swansea University, Sketty Lane, SA2 8QB.
Sandwiched between these sessions, on Saturday 28th October, there will be another Cardiff session at Fitzalan High School from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Teams will then hopefully be entered in the Goalball UK Intermediate tournament in Bristol in December and the Novice tournament in Reading in January.
For more information about any of the above please contact Kathryn Fielding (Tel. 07795 263642 or email Kathryn@goalballuk.com) or visit the South Wales Goalball Club facebook page.