Royal Couple try their hand at goalball during SportsAid’s Mental Health Awareness Day

The Prince and Princess of Wales delved into the world of goalball last week, bringing royal attention to a sport that champions mental wellbeing and inclusivity.

Their Royal Highnesses attended a special event at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, hosted by SportsAid on 12th October.

With expert guidance from Goalball UK’s Alex Bunney, the royal couple took their shot at the sport. The Princess, Patron of SportsAid since 2013, scored a goal past GB athlete Lois Turner. However, the Prince’s attempt was impressively blocked by GB Men’s Caleb Nanevie. 

“It was an unforgettable experience to have the Prince and Princess so engaged with goalball,” shared Alex Bunney, Participation Lead at Goalball UK. “They showed genuine interest in the sport and the athletes present, highlighting the importance of mental health and well-being in sports. It was a day and an experience I will never forget!”

Image credit: © SportsAid

Lois Turner, GB Women goalball athlete, also expressed her excitement: “The Prince and Princess really got stuck in and it was amazing for them to be trying our sport. It was great to spread the word about the sport and enable people to experience what it’s like being visually impaired. Goalball provides great opportunities both on and off the course and it’s really enjoyable to raise awareness of this. The Prince and Princess gave it a go – I’m sure they’ve had their own barriers in life and it’s great to see them show that these can be overcome and put themselves in other people’s shoes.”

Image credit: © SportsAid

Matt Loftus and Caleb Nanevie, both part of GB Men’s Senior Squad also attended the event. Caleb said “The royal engagement was a really big step in raising awareness of goalball and also supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing, both in sports and in life.”

“Mental health is one of those things in sports that kind of gets neglected. More recently there is more of a focus on it and to have Kate and William being champions for it will really help demonstrate that not everybody has to be worried about showing they have a little bit of a blockage sometimes when it comes to sport. Having a healthy mindset can help you perform and be your best as both a sportsperson and athlete” 

Image credit: © SportsAid

SportsAid, in partnership with BelievePerform, has been a beacon of support for young athletes. Their online platform offers valuable resources on mental fitness for athletes and guidance for parents and guardians.

In line with its mission to further promote inclusivity and support, Goalball UK is committed to championing the mental well-being of its players. Recognising the pressures that come with competitive sports, Goalball UK has introduced several initiatives as part of its talent pathway alongside support from SportsAid and TASS.

One standout collaboration is with the True Athlete Project, which focuses on holistic athlete development, emphasising both well-being and mental health. This partnership has facilitated a series of projects and workshops that aim to equip players with the tools and strategies they need to maintain sound mental health, both on and off the court. Such initiatives underline Goalball UK’s enduring commitment to the all-round welfare of goalball players.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace ©

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