# Sam Gough’s blind football journey

> Sam Gough, England’s blind football captain, says guide dog Helga changed her life from PE hazard to global athlete.
- Title: Sam Gough’s blind football journey · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Sam Gough, England’s blind football captain, says guide dog Helga changed her life from PE hazard to global athlete. Sam Gough, a blind football captain…
- Keywords: sam gough, helga, para lionesses, blind football, cerebral vision impairment, ibsa women’s blind football, europe, england women, blind football captain, mb e, sports, Sam
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/29/sam-gough-journey-hazard-at-pe-to-para-lionesses-captain
- Published: 2026-09-29T11:00:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sam gough, helga, para lionesses, blind football, cerebral vision impairment, ibsa women’s blind football, europe, england women, blind football captain, mb e, sports
## Sam Gough
Sam Gough, 23, is England’s women’s blind football captain.

> I tried blind football for the first time and realised the football door would open for me
## Guide dog Helga
Helga, a three-year-old black labrador, guides Sam Gough.

> Helga has spotted a pigeon just outside the changing rooms
## Blind football
Blind football uses shouting and metal plates to help players locate the ball.

> Players must shout 'voy' before tackling
## Cerebral vision impairment
Sam Gough has cerebral vision impairment from birth.

> Her sight gradually declined through her childhood
## PE hazard
Sam Gough was removed from PE lessons as a 'hazard' due to vision loss.

> I was actually removed from PE due to being a 'hazard'
## First blind football
Sam Gough tried blind football at the Royal National College for the Blind.

> I tried blind football for the first time and realised the football door would open for me
## MBE award
Sam Gough received an MBE for services to sport and the visually impaired community.

> In June this year Gough received an MBE in the king’s birthday honours list
## European Championship
England’s Para Lionesses prepare for the 2026 IBSA Women’s Blind Football European Championship.

> The championship gets under way in Istanbul on Saturday
## Next steps
Sam Gough aims to win the European Championship after recent success in India.

> Our performance at the World Champs in India just really gave us the confidence
## Key takeaway

Sam Gough, a blind football captain, credits her guide dog for enabling independence and success in sports after being labeled a PE hazard.