RNC Hereford Champions of European Blind Football

—- Fresh off their domestic league victory, the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC Hereford) has secured a historic double, clinching the European Blind Football League (EBFL) title after dominant performances in Round 4 of the competition held in Belgium at the end of April. . The team faced off against last year’s champions, Cécifoot Charleroi, on their home turf on 27 April. In a thrilling display of skill and determination, RNC Hereford emerged victorious with a resounding 4-0 win. The goal scorers for Hereford were Rainbow Mbuangi with a brace, while Roy Turnham and Eesa Amjid added a goal each. The momentum continued later that day, with another impressive 3-0 victory against Bondy Cécifoot Club. Here, Amjid found the net twice, with Turnham adding another goal to his tally. These back-to-back wins solidified RNC Hereford’s position at the top of the League table with 24 points. Their dominance is further emphasised by their incredible record – they’ve scored a staggering 35 goals throughout the tournament and haven’t conceded a single one, thanks to some stunning performances from goalkeepers Dylan Malpas and Owen Locke. With just one round remaining, this achievement has officially declared them champions of the European Blind Football League. Adam Bendall, Head Coach, said: ‘This is a phenomenal achievement for the entire squad. We were depleted in numbers in Charleroi and facing two tough games. But the players dug deep and their dedication and hard work has really paid off. We will be incredibly proud to collect the EBFL trophy in Paris and bring it back home to Hereford.’  The fifth and final round will be played on 22 June in Paris at Bondy Cécifoot Club, where RNC Hereford will be presented with the trophy. This final round of matches presents an opportunity for the champions to showcase their talents once more and potentially add to their impressive goal tally. RNC’s trophy hunt isn’t over yet either. They are still in contention for two more cups: the Brian Aarons Cup on Saturday 11 May which will be played at home in Hereford and the FA Disability Cup, which will be televised live on TNT Sports from St George’s Park on 29-30 June.

	Photo credit: Will Cheshire Photography – The RNC squad, coaches and guides

	Notes to the Editor: About the Royal National College for the BlindThe Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), located in Hereford, is the UK’s leading specialist residential further education and training provider for young people aged 16-25 with visual impairments. The College has been running for over 150 years, with an undisputed track record of delivering top quality education, vocational training, and life skills to students with visual impairments (VI) in the 16 to 25 age group. RNC is a registered charity and heavily relies on donations to support its life-changing work. Extra funds are necessary to allow purchase of new kit, the latest VI resources and technology, refurbish and improve areas of the campus and provide enriching extra-curricular experiences for students. RNC is a unique national asset, England’s only specialist post-16 provider for young people with VI. About the European Blind Football League (EBFL) Cécifoot Charleroi were champions in the first year of the competition (2022/23). Blind Football is a rapidly growing sport in the UK, with its own National League and cup competitions, often dominated by the RNC Hereford team. Outside of domestic competition there are very few chances to play against teams from overseas.  Recognising the limited international opportunities outside of these national structures, the EBFL was established by Jean-Michel Bertinchamps of Charleroi, to provide a platform to share best practice, good sportsmanship, and most importantly, provide players with more opportunities to develop their skills.  Ultimately, the EBFL aims to expand the reach of this fast-paced and skillful game, and today is a showcase for this exciting sport with some of the best players in Europe taking to the field, many of whom will be representing their countries at this year’s Paralympics in Paris.  There were six teams competing this season: ASDD Roma (Italy), Cécifoot Charleroi (Belgium), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Pirsos Thessaloniki (Greece), Bondy Cécifoot Club (France) and RNC Hereford (England). RNC Hereford boasts both senior and rising England players.  RNC players are also dominating the goalscorers table, as follows:1. Eesa Amjid (13 goals)3 Azeem Amir (6 goals)6 Roy Turnham (5 goals)8 Rainbow Mbuangi (4 goals)9 Efe Shimwell (4 goals)

	Get in touch:The Royal National College for the BlindVenns Lane, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 1DTUnited Kingdom