Goalball was invented in 1946 by Austrian, Hanz Lorenzen, and German Sepp Reindle, to help in the rehabilitation of blinded war veterans. The game was introduced to the Paralympic Games in Toronto, Canada in 1976 and has been played at every Paralympic Games since. Since that time, the popularity of goalball has increased to where it is played competitively in many countries throughout the world.

Goalball is a game played by two teams of three players each, with a maximum of three substitutes for each team. The game is played in an indoor gymnasium on a court measuring 18m x 9m, which is divided into two halves by a centre line. Teams remain on their own half of the court during the game. The purpose of the game is for each team to throw the ball by hand, along the floor, with the purpose of getting the ball across the opponent’s goal line while the other team attempts to prevent this from happening. The goals and nets extend right across the 9m width at each end of the court. The ball weighs 1.25kg, is made of hard rubber and has holes in it that allow bells inside the ball to be hear as the ball moves.

Goalball New Zealand is a Blind Sport New Zealand affiliated sporting group and lead goalball in New Zealand, with active clubs throughout the country.

Interested in GOALBALL? Contact Goalball New Zealand today to find your local club.