With under 50 days to go until the 2019 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball European Championships A, the organisers  are spreading awareness of the sport in Germany in the lead-up to the competition.

From 8-13 October, men’s and women’s teams from 15 countries will go for the title in Rostock.

To involve the community, schoolchildren have already been given the chance to try the sport for themselves.

On 22 August, students from schools in the local area of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) took part in a talent day run by the Association for Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports MV e.V. (VBRS) in the Rostock Stadthalle, one of the venues for the Championships.

Pupils aged from 12-17 from Rostock, Bergen auf Rügen, Franzburg, Röbel and Ribnitz-Damgarten-Dammgarten got an insight into goalball and its tactical subtleties.

All participating schools received a starter set with two goalballs, six eyeshades and tools for the pitch including a goal construction manual and teaching materials.

"You have to experience this sport live or have tried it yourself to understand the fascination of goalball and the players," said German national men’s team player Reno Tiede, who is also part of the Local Organising Committee.

As the clock continues to tick down to the start of Rostock 2019, other activities are planned.

On 1 September a demonstration game will be held in the Stadthalle Rostock between local club team RGC Hansa Allstars and the German national men’s team.

A special Teraflex floor is being flown in especially for the occasion where the official Championships mascot will also be revealed.

Then on 6 September, in the grounds of the HanseMesse Rostock, a ‘European Championships’ for students will take place. Each school will be given a country to compete for and medals and a trophy will be awarded.

The schedule and tickets for the 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships A can be found here: http://www.em-rostock2019.de/spielplan.html