5th to 7th August 2024 saw the return of Goalball UK’s Summer Camp thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of the Goalball UK Youth Forum, who successfully climbed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in September 2023.

Almost as soon as they got home from their climb, the Youth Forum began planning for Summer Camp 2024. The Forum members were given the opportunity and responsibility to plan all aspects of the camp, from location to the activities at the camp. Over the next 9 months the Forum researched venues, planned activities, and everything else they needed to run a successful camp with the support of Goalball UK. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the South Yorkshire Community Fund for their ongoing support of our volunteering work.

Youth Forum members Harry Bainbridge and Chelsea Hudson stood in front of the group of players at Summer Camp 2024. Group photo of the four Youth Forum members and 8 Summer Camp players. Everyone is stood with their backs to the camera to show off the back of the Youth Forum hoodie and Summer Camp 2024 shirts respectively. Group photo of the four Youth Forum members (left to right - Terelle Iziren, Harry Banbridge, Chelsea Hudson, Max Mackenzie) leading the group dance of Cha Cha Slide on the last day of camp.

The delivery of the camp itself was overseen by four members of the Youth Forum – Chelsea Hudson, Harry Bainbridge, Terrelle Iziren, and Max Mackenzie, who volunteered their time to ensure the camp was a success. These four members play goalball themselves at various levels within the UK and are all registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired.

Throughout the camp the four members were responsible for running each activity at the camp from on court activities, such as throwing and defending practice, through to off court activities, such as top tips for nutrition and tips for what you should bring to a goalball tournament. The members also planned each evening’s social activity – Chelsea and Harry ran an arts & craft session on the Monday evening whilst Max and Terrelle ran a quiz on the Tuesday evening.

Also, throughout the camp, the four Youth Forum members helped the Goalball UK staff with all the intricacies of the camp – guiding players around the venues, helping with mealtimes, and generally being on hand to support the eight players as and when this was needed.

The planning the Youth Forum did before the camp, and the role the four members played during the camp, helped make Summer Camp 2024 a resounding success! Stay tuned to see what the Youth Forum get up to next…

All photos in this article are courtesy of Steve Biltcliffe Photography – www.stevebiltcliffephotography.com