From the Guardian · · 1m 10s
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.
In brief
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, credits her guide dog for enabling independence and success in sports after being labeled a PE hazard. Originally reported by the Guardian.
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”
The main idea
Sam Gough, a blind football captain, credits her guide dog for enabling independence and success in sports after being labeled a PE hazard.
