Plymouth dad aims to create blind football team

Wayne's working with Plymouth Argyle on the project

Author: Simon McleanPublished 6th Apr 2023

A man from Plymouth who wanted to play football with his son after losing his sight, is now hoping to set up a blind football team.

Wayne Vowden's teamed up with Plymouth Argyle to help get it set up - with plans for a men's and women's team in the pipeline

Wayne told us he used to play before he lost his sight, and when his son showed an interest in the game, he really wanted to get involved.

"It was difficult for me to train him and play football with him, because he would pass the ball to me and if it didn't touch my foot, I would have no idea where it went."

But more recently, he played with a special football with bells in, the kind of football the teams he's aiming to set up will use.

"I passed the ball to him, he passed it back, and because of the bells I knew exactly where to go to get it, and it was just a wonderful, wonderful experience.

"This will now help him when he plays with his friends and at school, it gives him a bit more sharpness, and it's lovely to have that interaction with my beautiful boy!"

"It gives you something to work towards"

Wayne says other people who are visually impaired will also get benefits from it.

"It gives them the chance to do fitness, socialising, meeting new friends, it also gives them a purpose as well - and where they're looking to create a male and a female team, it gives you something to work towards.

Initial preparations have been made - including the purchase of the blind footballs, as well as blindfolds which all players will wear so their vision is equal.

Wayne's now running a survey on where training sessions should be carried out - he's asking anyone who's interested to fill in the form, or get help to fill it in. You can find it here:

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