The Royal National College for the Blind has been confirmed as the host of the IBSA Blind Football European Championships 2015.
The Championships will take place in August of next year at the centre of excellence, which is based in Hereford, following on from the IBSA Blind Football World Championships that hosted there in 2010.
Having finished eighth at the 2013 European Championships in Italy, England must finish in the top two this time around in order to qualify for the Rio Paralympic Games, but on current form it’s a task well within their reach having recently finished runners-up to reigning World Champions Brazil in a Quad Nations tournament earlier this summer.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for England to benefit from home advantage to qualify for Rio,” said Tony Larkin, RNC Director and former Great Britain Head Coach.
“The team train regularly at the RNC’s fully accessible sports centre, thePoint4, which has outstanding facilities and acted as a training base for a number of teams in the lead up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”
He added: “The 3G pitch, which I believe provides a better playing experience for blind footballers, will also benefit England compared to the 4G surface most of our competitors are used to.”
Dave Clarke, England’s goal machine and talisman for a number of years before his retirement in 2012, said: “I was part of the first British team to compete in a Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008 and the experience will live with me forever. If England finish in the top two next summer they’re going to Rio – that’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope the England supporters get behind their team.”
The draw for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships 2015 will take place on 7 November 2014.
The announcement is another boost for blind football within this country, arriving on the back of the news that St. George’s Park will host the Cerebral Palsy World Cup next June, meaning that the two main international disability football tournaments will be both held on our shores.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you’re interested, please contact Lucy Proctor at RNC for on telephone 01432 376312 or email lucy.proctor@rnc.ac.uk.
More event information can be found at www.ibsasport.org.
