Paralympic sport coming to Highlands with weekend goalball session
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Young people with sight loss are bringing a Paralympic sport to the Highlands.
A goalball taster session aimed at sighted and non-sighted people will be staged in Ross-shire this weekend.
Originally developed as a rehabilitation programme for visually impaired World War II veterans, goalball is inclusive as all players wear eyeshades and it uses a ball with audible bells.
The event, on Saturday from noon to 3pm at Dingwall Academy, is being organised by Goalball UK and Erica Steel (11) and Sarah Campbell (22), of Inspire Highland, a youth-led project supported by the Highland charity Inspiring Young Voices.
It is hoped that people from other parts of the Highlands will attend.
Erica, of Maryburgh, lost her vision two years ago because of a brain tumour.
"Before I became blind I loved playing football but now people assume that because I’m blind I can’t play any more," she said.
"I know people are trying to be kind but I don’t need protecting in cotton wool. I would love for there to be somewhere I could play sport with other people with sight loss."
Sarah, of Inverness, was diagnosed with the degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa when she was in primary school.
"I want people to understand what life is like for a non-sighted person and help raise awareness of the need for disability sports as there is nothing at the moment in Highland for people who are blind and want to play football," she said.
Young people from Inspire Highland will be at the event to talk about the work of the group, speaking out about disability issues and additional support needs.
Emma Thomas, participation lead of Inspiring Young Voices, said: "Everyone is welcome. No previous experience is required – just a little bit of energy and lots of enthusiasm!
"This event is about having fun, laughing and celebrating young people who have disabilities and who experience challenges in their lives."
Goalball is governed by the International Blind Sports Federation. It was included in the Paralympic sport programme for the first time at Toronto in 1976.
