RNC's Women's Goalball team to represent GB on world stage

Following their Bronze medal win at the European Goalball Club Association (EGCA) Women's Champions League in Finland last year, RNC’s Women’s Goalball team has received an invitation to compete in the prestigious Goalball Clubs World Cup. The tournament will take place in Espoo, Finland, from 20-26 May 2025.

Pictured back row L-R: Becky Ashworth (Assistant Coach), Meme Robertson, Antonia Bunyan, Aaron Ford (Head Coach) Front row L-R: Georgie Mullen, Megan Smithson-Booth, Sarah Leiter

Organised by the EGCA, the City of Espoo, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland, and the Finnish Paralympic Committee, the Goalball Clubs World Cup brings together the world's top men's and women's goalball club teams. RNC is honoured to be among this elite group of athletes, representing Great Britain on a global stage.

‘This is a momentous occasion for our team’, said Aaron Ford, Head of Sport at RNC. ‘After our success in the Champions League last year, we are incredibly excited to test our skills against the best Goalball clubs in the world. We are grateful for this incredible opportunity and are determined to make our mark on the world stage.’

Player, Megan Smithson-Booth added:

‘We're really looking forward to the challenge of competing against strong international teams in Finland. It's another great opportunity for RNC to travel, compete alongside good friends, and build on the success of our first international event at the ECGA Championships.’

The team's journey to the World Cup has been bolstered by the generous sponsorship of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Lorna Forbes, RNIB Head of Brand Engagement, said:

‘RNIB is delighted to be sponsoring RNC's Women’s Goalball team for their upcoming Clubs World Cup tournament in Finland. One of RNIB’s strategic aims is to promote more accessible opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to take part in sport and physical activity. By sponsoring the Women’s Goalball team, we hope more people living with sight loss will become aware of Goalball and be inspired join a local club and enjoy the all-round benefit sport can bring, both physically and socially.’

RNC’s team is now fully focused on their World Cup preparations, training hard to compete against the world's best and committed to showcasing their talent and sportsmanship on the international stage.