Posted on 6th Oct
A Newark student is playing for her country at the first women’s blind football world championship in October.
Alice Hopkins, of Newark, represented the England women’s blind football squad at the IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) Women’s Blind Football World Championship in India.
The 24-year-old University of Worcester student said: “There are a lot of unknowns, and it is the first time we played quite a few of the teams. But we have a good team.”
Eight other teams from around the world competed in the tournament — hosts India, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Poland, and Turkey,
England opened the tournament on Monday with a 2-0 win over Poland.
Alice, who completed an undergraduate degree in history and creative writing at the university, is now studying for a Masters in research in media and culture.
She first competed for England at the first women’s blind football European Championships in Italy in 2022, and then at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham in 2023.
England recently won a tri-nations tournament in April.
Alice first discovered blind football in 2021 during a transition year at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. After a taster session run by coaches linked to the national set-up, she was invited to train with the FA and was later named in 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 other people on the sidelines.
“It’s more mentally taxing than physically,” said Alice. “You have got to listen to your team, where the ball is, the opposing team, plus you have got to process all the information they’re giving you and its constantly changing. It’s a good challenge.”
Though women’s blind football has not been included in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, Alice hopes it might be included in the 2032 Games, allowing her to fulfil a long-held dream.
Alice typically fits in a minimum six hours’ training and fitness work around her studies, and has been supported by the university’s Sports Scholarship programme for the last few years.
“I personally stringently timetable my life,” she added. “It becomes a massive balancing act. There’s a lot you are going to miss out on, hanging out with friends or going to events. It’s all about prioritising.”
She said the scholarship helped with being able to book pitches for free, free gym membership, and access to ice baths and massage therapy, and it has also provided a lifestyle advisor.
“They can sit down and work through any issues that arise. That’s been so helpful,” she said.
