Goalball UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Dave Clarke OBE, Chief Executive of ParalympicsGB and one of Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympic athletes, as its newest Patron. He joins Dina Murdie BEM, Clive Spencer BEM, and Emma Evans MBE.
Clarke, a towering figure in disability sport, brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal connection to goalball. While best known for his record-breaking career in blind football – where he earned 144 caps and scored 128 goals for Great Britain and England, Clarke’s Paralympic journey began on the goalball court. He represented Great Britain in goalball at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, giving him a unique and authentic understanding of the sport’s demands and its community.
The appointment comes at an exciting time for Goalball UK as the National Governing Body continues to drive the growth of the sport, from grassroots participation to elite performance.
Dave Clarke OBE said:
Mark Winder, CEO of Goalball UK, added:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Dave to the Goalball UK community. His achievements as an athlete are legendary, but his leadership as CEO of Paralympics GB and his advocacy for visually impaired people make him the perfect ambassador for our work.
“Dave understands first-hand the power of our sport to build resilience and community. Having a Patron who has worn the GB jersey in goalball sends a powerful message to our players and supporters alike.”
John Grosvenor, Chair of Goalball UK, commented:
“This is a landmark moment for Goalball UK. Dave’s journey from the goalball court to the pinnacle of Paralympic leadership is an inspiration to everyone involved in our sport.
“His acceptance of this role is a powerful endorsement of our ambition to transform more lives through goalball. We look forward to working with him to open up new opportunities and ensure our sport gets the recognition it truly deserves.”
Clarke joins a distinguished list of supporters and leadership figures committed to the sport’s development. His role will involve advocating for the sport’s profile, supporting fundraising initiatives, and inspiring the next generation of goalball players, coaches, and administrators alike.
We will shortly be sharing news on becoming a Goalball UK Ambassador and all that it entails. If you are interested, please contact mark.winder@goalballuk.com
