Blind Football Tournament 2011

Blind Football - An Overview

In June 2010 NCBI, in association with Paddy Power bookmaker and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), teamed up to host the this country's first fully Blind Football Tournament. David Nason, one of the trainees at NCBI's Training Centre on Whitworth Road and a passionate football fan himself, was one of the main organisers of this event.

A Blind Football skills demonstration was also given by English Blind Football Team captain, AJ Ahmed. The level of skill shown by the players was jaw dropping. All players adapted incredibly well to not being able to see by constantly communicating with one another in order to let their team mates know where they were positioned on the pitch. The sighted goal keepers also played a key role in helping score goals by instructing his/her players where to direct each shot. After some fine displays of blind football, the overall tournament winners were presented by AJ with medals, a trophy and €250 worth of Paddy Power vouchers.

NCBI was delighted to have held Ireland's second annual Blind Football Tournament on June 18th on the outdoor futsal courts in UCD. As well as raising €6,000 for NCBI, this tournament helped to promote and encourage people with sight loss to participate in blind football, a sport that is still very much in its infancy in Ireland. A big thank you is extended to David Nason along with all his family for their enormous support which led to this event being made possible.

The Rules of Blind Football

• Teams consist of 5 players
• All 4 outfield players must be blind folded
• The sighted goalkeeper must remain in a marked area
• The football rattles when it moves

• Facebook
• Youtube
• Twitter