Hero Soldier becomes Goalball Patron

A hero soldier blinded by the Taliban in Afghanistan is to lead the campaign to help secure a place for Goalball GB at next year’s Paralympics by becoming a Patron of the sport and playing, it has been announced.

Rifleman Paul Jacobs, 22, who received the George Medal for his courage in Afghanistan, was only introduced to the sport recently.

“I have been determined to overcome all the hurdles caused by my injuries and with the help of Goalball I can participate in a great team sport environment”, he said. “I only see opportunities not obstacles and I think I can really make a significant difference to the profile of Goalball as well as encourage other individuals who have lost their sight.

This is a perfect sport for many of the soldiers who have been blinded or partially blinded in recent conflicts and I intend to spread the message and feel I can contribute something positive.”

He added, “The Army was my whole world, I loved it. It's not for everyone but it was my life. My colleagues are currently serving in Afghanistan and despite what's happened I wish I was with them. 2 Rifles, 2 tours and if I can help take the Goalball GB Team to the Paralympics I will feel that I have proved myself as a sportsman as well as a soldier."

Goalball is a growing sport played domestically by visually impaired, and more recently sighted individuals, at some 22 clubs throughout the UK. The men’s and women’s GB national squads are presently striving to be entered into the games in London 2012.

“Paul Jacobs’s involvement in Goalball is wonderful and inspirational to our sport”, said Mike Reilly, CEO of Goalball. “He will certainly help us raise the profile of Goalball in the UK and hopefully help us attract some additional funding and support. He is a truly motivational young man, whose courage and humour make him a role model. He does not understand the meaning of the word defeat and throws himself into everything. We are honoured and proud that he has agreed to become our Patron.”

Goalball was originally developed by Hanz Lorenzen (Austria) and Sepp Reindl (Germany) in 1946, as a rehabilitation programme for visually impaired World War II veterans. It has since developed into a competitive sport.