Since it was developed as a rehabilitation activity for injured soldiers returning from World War II, Goalball has spread around the world. Played by visually impaired athletes using a ball with bells inside, it is among the most exciting team sports on the Paralympic programme. Athletes wear blackout masks (eyeshades) on the playing court, which allows persons with varying degrees of vision to participate together.

Introduced to the Games as a demonstration event at the Toronto 1976 Games, Goalball was added to the Paralympic programme as a full medal sport four years later in Arnhem. The women’s tournament first featured at the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games.

The aim is to score by rolling the ball at speed into the opposition’s goal, while the opposition attempts to block the ball with their bodies. Spectators must be quiet during play so that players can hear the ball (and each other), but they are free to cheer when a goal is scored. The team that scores the most goals is the winner.

The ball is not passed up the court, and each throw is effectively a shot on goal. Each team has 10 seconds to take a throw, and any team member may take it, but not more than twice before another team member must have a turn. This includes half-time so that  a player who has taken two consecutive throws at the end of the first half cannot throw at the beginning of the second half until another team member has made a shot.

Matches last for two periods of 12 minutes each, but the clock stops every time the referee blows for an infringement and starts again when play restarts. Each team is also permitted three 45-second time-outs or breaks.

In the event of a tie in the knockout stages, two further periods of three minutes each will be held, decided by a golden goal. This is followed by extra throws if necessary – similar to how a penalty shoot-out works in Football.

Niall was also selected to carry the Olympic torch through Corby on the 2nd July ( unfortunately I wasn’t there as I was on Ventura on a cruise) and the streets were lined by thousands of people to see this including my best friend Sharon and her daughter Chloe who just happens to be Niall’s girlfriend. They are off to see him compete and I’m sure they will have a wonderful time and hopefully he will be bringing a medal back to Corby and make us all proud.

Go Niall you’ve got the whole of Corby behind you.