A Newark student is set to represent England on the European stage after being named in the national squad for October’s Women’s Blind Football European Championship in Türkiye.

Alice Hopkins, of Newark, who studies at the University of Worcester, said: “It’s great to be selected. There are not many people who can say that they’ve got to play for England, to wear the England shirt.”

Five countries will compete in the tournament, run by IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) in Istanbul, from 3rd to 7th October. Matches will be streamed on the IBSA YouTube channel.

Alice, who has a degree in history and creative writing and a master’s in research in media and culture, is now studying for a PhD in English.

She competed for England at the first women’s blind football European Championships in Italy in 2022 and the first World Championship in India last year, where the team came second. England is currently ranked second in the world.

“We’d been established as a squad for about four months before that first Euros competition,” said Alice. “Look at how we have progressed even just from last year. I know on a personal level I have worked on my own individual development, as have others, so that will have an impact on us as a squad.”

Alice discovered blind football in 2021 during a transition year at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. After a taster session, she was invited to train with the FA and was selected for England’s first national women’s blind football team in 2022.

The five-a-side game is played with a ball containing metal ball bearings, with verbal assistance provided by a sighted goalkeeper and people on the sidelines.

Alice added: “You are listening to the ball, to people on the sidelines, to your teammates, the opposing team, depending where you are on the pitch, so there’s a lot of information. It’s more mentally than physically taxing.

“It’s always developing — new staff with new tactics, countries that you have never played before. It’s testing you in different ways.”

Though women’s blind football is not at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, Alice hopes it might be included in 2032, allowing her to fulfil a childhood dream.

“We might be a Paralympic sport down the line while I’m still playing or maybe not, but I have paved the way for people to come, kids who see it and think that looks fun, I’m going to try that,” said Alice.

“Even if it’s one or two people, I’ve had an impact. I have helped pioneer this sport in the UK for women.”

Alice typically fits in up to 10 hours’ training and fitness work a week around her studies, which she said requires being very strict on her scheduling.

She has been supported by the University’s Sports Scholarship programme, which she said has helped with financial support for transport and equipment, as well as lifestyle advice.

“It makes things a lot easier because I’m not on my own,” she added. “I have staff I can talk to about how I manage my commitments; they help me plan and prioritise.”

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