Meet NSWGB Coach... Andrew!

I first got involved with NSW Goalball and the sport itself in 2019, when my daughter Zara was introduced to the sport. 

This involvement evolved from being a parent spectator, to offering to help set-up a court for training, to volunteering to referee games (so I could learn the rules first-hand), to over the past 5 years taking on a range of volunteer roles across NSW Goalball (Board member, Program Director, Coach, Tournament Director, NSW Team Manager and Chairperson). 

Like most parents who volunteer their time in local sporting clubs and organisations, it is the sense of community and being part of something that is bigger than any individual that is a motivating factor, as well as a genuine passion and willingness to help people of different ages and abilities to achieve their goals and become better versions of themselves.

1. Andrew with daughter and player, Zara, with luggage when heading to Portugal to support the Aussie Belles and Zara when competing at the 2022 World Goalball Championships.
2. Andrew, as chair of NSWGB, at the Australian Goalball Championships, handing over the AGCs flag to Victorian Goalball President, Brooke Carter for the 2026 AGCs in Melbourne. 
3. NSW Men's coaches Andrew and Jess standing courtside at 2025 AGCs. 

It is amazing where life can take you, simply by putting your hand up to get involved in something new!

Goalball is a unique and dynamic team sport invented for people who are blind or vision impaired and everyone involved with NSW Goalball just “gets it”; they get what it means to live with or know someone who is blind or vision impaired and this promotes a true sense of inclusiveness within our small sporting community. This particularly resonated with our family, having a daughter who has been legally blind since birth. 

Over time my commitment has given me the opportunity to be involved with the national mens and womens goalball programs, initially in a support staff capacity at national squad camps and allowed me to observe and learn from experienced national coaches. 

More recently, my involvement at a national level has given me some amazing opportunities, including:

• Travelling to China as Joint Team Manager and Assistant Coach for the Men’s and Women’s teams on a training camp and invitational tournament in China
• Being appointed Head Coach for the national Youth Squad in late 2024
• Nominated to participate in an AIS Para Coach Learning Program; and,
• Assistant coach for the Belles on their upcoming European tour in March 2026!