Campaign Ambassador - Daniel Longmore

Name: Daniel Longmore

Sports/Activities: Goalball

Locality: Watford

My sporting journey began when I started playing goalball at Watford at around the age of 11. I was immediately drawn to the sport because of its strong sense of community and the way it challenged me both physically and mentally. From an accessibility perspective, goalball is particularly meaningful to me. The ability to track the ball through sound and physical contact makes the game engaging and inclusive, especially with my visual impairment. What I enjoy most, however, is how the sport feels like a combination of chess and a physical contest, requiring strategy, focus, and resilience.

Like many people with a disability, I have faced barriers in participating in sport. One of the main challenges was my age, as I was often competing against older, more experienced players. I also found it difficult to learn the technical aspects of the game without being able to see demonstrations. To overcome these challenges, I committed to consistent practice and took the step of joining the Goalball Academy. There, I have been able to develop my skills further, helping to close the gap in my experience.

The coaches at Watford Goalball and the team at the Goalball Academy have played a huge role in my development. They have taught me everything I know about the sport and supported me in becoming a confident, competitive team player. Their encouragement has also given me the confidence to share and promote goalball at school. Since joining the academy, my skills and focus have improved significantly, and I am now able to play multiple roles within the team, including both wing and centre positions, making me a more adaptable and versatile player.

Looking ahead, I want to continue developing by becoming stronger and fitter, especially now I am playing at an intermediate level. I also hope to give back to the sport by becoming a mentor to younger players, helping them to build their confidence and skills. My advice to others would be to give it a go, find a team whose values you connect with, and trust your teammates when you’re playing.

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