I first heard about showdown around 25 years ago, and I was always intrigued about this sport that was described as a fast-paced combination of air-hocky and table tennis. Unfortunately, at that time the availability of getting to try Showdown in the UK was non-existent. The UK’s first Showdown team was not formed until 2020 in Croydon.  Over the last couple of years there has started a real development of UK Showdown following the sport being featured in the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) World games held in Birmingham in 2023. The number of UK teams has now grown to 9, one of these being Galloways Gladiators in Preston which is the closest team to Greater Manchester.

Around June 2024 I was looking through posts on the VI talk Facebook group and I came across a post about Galloways having evening Showdown sessions, this would be my chance to finally have a go at a sport that I had been wanting to try for a quarter of a century (good lord that makes me sound really old). The wait was so worth it! After the 2-hour session had ended I can honestly say that I had found a sport that I had fallen in love with. The problem was the evening sessions were very few and far between, but they did do weekly afternoon sessions. Fortunately, my dad offered to take me to Preston each week, and I have now been attending every week since February.

After just a month of playing regularly I found myself heading down to the Commonwealth Games Stadium in Birmingham to take part in British Blind Sports 2nd National Championships. The weekend of the competition was so much fun. My first competitive match was what could be described as a baptism of fire as I was up against Jack Peters who is the UK’s number 1 ranked player and currently ranked 183rd in the world. Needless to say, I didn’t win. Overall, I came in 28th place and 10th in the Women’s standings but that isn’t what’s important or what made the weekend so special. I got to meet so many people who were all so friendly and willing to help each other out, offering tips and guidance on improving skills and performance and who were so passionate about developing in this sport; I can truly say I made many new friends.

For me it’s a fantastic sport for blind and visually impaired people, although anyone can play as every player is required to wear a blindfold and is suitable for all ages and ability. It’s less physically demanding compared to sports like Goalball or Football but still has many physical and emotional benefits including boosting sensory awareness, encouraging mobility and can help reduce stress and anxiety and best of all it’s a wonderful opportunity to socialise and meet new people, and I would encourage everyone to give it a go and hopefully you will fall in love with Showdown as I did.

This is the reason why i am really passionate about Bury Aces having access to sport and physical activity closer to my doorstep, but also the opportunity for more people to get involved with this sport and having more teams to compete will only improve the level of Showdown within the UK.