Blind football is expanding and growing in the Republic of Ireland thanks to key support from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the IBSA Blind Football Development Project Europe.

As part of its ‘Ball a player’ scheme, IBSA has donated balls and eyeshades to the FAI to hand over to women players and youth players in an effort to boost numbers and promote participation. To date 12 balls have been given out to 3 girls and 9 boys ranging from the ages of 5 to 15.

The FAI has implemented a programme involving itinerary teachers working with blind and partially sighted boys and girls in mainstream schools to identify and attract potential players.

FAI Development Officers have so far delivered 5 classes in Tipperary and Waterford and 7 in Cork in schools. The courses involve the whole class learning the skills of blind football and coaching each other, and finish with small-sided 3 vs 3 games.

Feedback has been hugely positive and 4 of the children involved have joined their nearest football club for the visually impaired – in Ireland there are currently two clubs in Dublin and Cork.

In addition, FAI regional development officers are being trained in blind football. Seventeen FAI officers have attended two courses so far, and there are plans to deliver to another 4 groups in the second half 2018. Future plans include a scheme to train more our mainstream FAI development officers to enable them to deliver VI sessions regularly in their regions.

Caption: FAI Development Officers in South-East Ireland have been trained in coaching VI players.

Ireland finished second at the 3rd IBSA Blind Football Euro Challenge Cup earlier this year in Krakow, Poland. The Irish team lost out narrowly in the final to the host country.

The Irish blind football team sits 40th in the IBSA Blind Football World Ranking, but is set to rise in the table when the ranking is updated at the end of this year.  

Follow Vision Impaired Football Ireland on Facebook.

Follow IBSA Blind Football on Facebook and Twitter.