What is Watford Goalball Club?
Watford Goalball Club was founded in 2023 with a simple yet powerful mission: to create an inclusive and supportive space where visually impaired (VI) individuals, and those connected to the VI community, can come together to enjoy sport, build friendships, and boost their well-being.
Our Journey
In early 2023, a working group—including Watford Blind Centre, RNIB, Goalball UK, and local VI residents—came together to address the lack of VI-specific sports opportunities in Hertfordshire. With additional support from Active Herts, we launched a successful pilot between April and September, delivering six taster sessions. The demand was clear, and Watford Goalball Club was officially constituted.
Why Goalball?
Research from See Sport Differently and the RNIB highlights the challenges VI individuals face when accessing sports and physical activity:
Blind and partially sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive compared to the general public.
1 in 3 VI individuals want to try sports but face barriers like accessibility, confidence, and transport.
Over 7,620 working-age residents in Hertfordshire are living with sight loss, with limited opportunities for regular VI-specific physical activity.
Goalball is a fast-paced, inclusive, and adaptive sport designed for VI individuals. It’s a game where sighted and visually impaired players compete on an equal footing, making it a truly unique team sport.
What We Offer
At Watford Goalball, we aim to be more than just a sports club—we’re a community. Our club provides:
✔ Regular coached sessions in an accessible venue
✔ Specialist equipment to ensure safe and meaningful participation
✔ Opportunities to compete in Goalball UK competitions
✔ Social events to strengthen connections off the court
The Impact
By creating a dedicated VI sports club in Watford, we’re:
✅ Increasing VI participation in sports
✅ Improving physical fitness and mental well-being
✅ Reducing isolation and fostering social connections
Many of our members have found Watford Goalball to be life-changing, not just for physical activity but also for emotional well-being and social support. For some, joining the club has been a turning point in overcoming personal challenges and rediscovering confidence.
“I tentatively joined the first session of Watford Goalball having had a very difficult couple of years with my mental health as my sight deteriorated. I gradually relaxed into the game and started to realize that I can participate despite my failing sight and actually enjoy myself without feeling ‘different’ to everyone else.”
For individuals like this participant, the club is more than just a place to play sports—it’s a lifeline. It provides a safe space to rebuild confidence, engage in meaningful activity, and connect with others who share similar experiences. We recognize that adjusting to sight loss can be challenging, and through goalball, we offer an opportunity for people to regain a sense of identity, purpose, and community.
We’re on a mission to grow and establish Watford Goalball as a thriving, dynamic club where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re a VI person looking for a new challenge, a family member or friend wanting to get involved, or someone passionate about making sport more accessible—we’d love to hear from you!
Join us on this journey. Let’s play, connect, and grow together!
Our Committee
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Ciaron Naughton
Chairperson
I began playing goalball in 2016 when I attended the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. While pursuing IT and Business studies, I was encouraged to get involved in sports to balance my time behind a computer. I attended my first open goalball session and was instantly hooked! Over three years, I played for RNC, progressing from the novice level to intermediate.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from goalball is the importance of teamwork. Playing with shades on requires strong verbal communication with your teammates to avoid collisions and ensure everyone is working cohesively. This experience has enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively in all areas of life.
After finishing my studies, I returned home and joined the Cambridge Dons, where I’ve been playing ever since. Through my involvement there and my passion for goalball, I had the opportunity to help establish and run Watford Goalball Club.
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Jonny Marshall
Secretary
I am the Secretary of Watford Goalball Club and have been playing goalball for around 3 years. I was introduced to goalball during my time at university with the Nottingham Sheriffs. Currently I play for Cambridge Dons and train with both Watford and London Elephants. I really enjoy how goalball brings people together, offering opportunities to meet new people, develop skills, and be part of a supportive community.
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Gerry Naughton
Coach, safeguarding officer and Treasurer
My first experience with Goalball was in Birmingham in 2017 when my son, Ciaron, started playing while studying at Hereford College. Before then, I had never even heard of the sport. Maria and I traveled to Birmingham to watch Ciaron compete in his first tournament, representing RNC – and from that moment, I was hooked!
Coming from a background in Gaelic football, where physical contact is a key part of the game, I was fascinated by how Goalball focuses purely on skill, teamwork, and communication, with no physical contact—only the ball. This unique aspect of the sport allows players to develop their technique and work closely as a team.
I have been involved with Watford Goalball from the very beginning. We are a welcoming and inclusive club with passionate coaches who ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to enjoy and excel in the sport.
Nobody knows what tomorrow brings, but one thing is certain—Watford Goalball Club is here for the long term. The dedicated people involved will make sure of that.
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Greg Longmore
Coach and parent representative
As a proud parent of a Watford Goalball Club member, I stumbled into the world of Goalball through my son. What started as supporting him quickly grew into a passion for the team. I now assist with coaching and support duties during training and matches. It’s been an incredible journey—learning from inspiring individuals and contributing to a fantastic club that empowers visually impaired athletes to compete at their best across the UK
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Jo Marshall
Coach and Visual Impairment specialist
Meet Jo Marshall
I'm a mum to a young person with vision loss and have worked as a Habilitation Specialist for 24 years. My journey with goalball began in 2007 when I completed the Goalball Leadership Course, and since then, I’ve been introducing the sport to schools to help raise awareness of vision loss.
What I love about goalball is that it’s fantastic for fitness, balance, and coordination. It also helps develop concentration and problem-solving skills—all while being a great way to socialise, have fun, and even progress to competitive play!
Looking forward to seeing more people get involved in this amazing sport!
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Elisabeth Evans
Coach and parent representative
Hi, I am Elisabeth Evans, mother of a young man with a sight impairment. With over 25 years of experience in Special Educational Needs schools, I excel at adapting games for different players. I joined Watford to involve my son in goalball and have been involved in training since its inception a few years ago. I recently completed my community club leaders course and coaching from the bench.
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Jenny Marsh
I became involved in the initial set up of the club as I am the voluntary Chairperson of Watford Social Centre for the Blind. We became aware that there was a lack of facilities for the local VI community to take part in sports especially Goalball. Our Working Age Group members were keen to try a sport and with help from Warren Wilson from RNIB we contacted Goalball UK to start the process of forming a local team.
I am sighted and although I knew about Goalball, I had not had the pleasure of watching a match or taking part. As a retired PE teacher, sport is in my blood and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the set-up of the club, watching numbers increase and skills improve. With my professional experience and lifetime knowledge of the VI community through Watford Blind Club I am also excited to see the two opportunities for younger VI’s providing not only a means of supporting each other but encouraging healthy, active lives.
Our Team
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Orla Fitzgerald
Shirt number 1
Hi, I’m Orla, I have been playing Goalball for roughly a year and a half.
I was reintroduced to Goalball by one of my colleagues who told me about an upcoming This Girl Can event at Watford Goalball Club.
I decided to go along and immediately fell in love with it.
Goalball is a great way to stay active, meet new people and work as part of a team. I especially love the competitive and welcoming atmosphere of Goalball.
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David israel
Shirt number 4
I'm David, I first played Goalball when I was at RNC Hereford between 2005-2008, but not since before the Watford club was set up.
I play at the novice level, and enjoy the team sport. I am always up for trying to implement new skills to the game and improve. -
Daniel Longmore
Shirt number 5
Hi, I’m Daniel and I’ve been playing Goalball for about a year and a half. I first attended a Goalball taster session in Watford and thoroughly enjoyed it from the very beginning. I was instantly drawn to the speed of the game and the adrenaline rush it brings. One of the things I love most about Goalball is the competitive nature of the sport—it’s always exciting and fun.
I also really appreciate the social side of the club. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and it’s great to be part of a community where everyone supports one another. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey, putting into practice what I’ve learnt, and developing new skills along the way.