Sarah Leiter is one of those people who can just light up a room with her energy and enthusiam. She’s currently doing a PhD in clinical biochemistry at Newnham, balancing that against training with the GB Goalball team. This week I sat down with her to find out her secrets and learn more about her achievements.

What sports have you tried before Cambridge and while at Cambridge?

I grew up in the countryside and my family did a lot of outdoor things, so I did cycling, running, swimming, sailing, climbing and skiing before coming to Cambridge. Living in a city came as a bit of a shock and as a medic I didn’t find the time to take off weekends and go away on trips. So, I decided to join the University Womens Rugby Club in my first year. I also got involved in the rugby college league and continued to go running and swimming.

What is your disability and what impact has it had on your sports involvement?

I was born with Albinism, which leads to a lack of pigment in my hair, skin and eyes. I am very sensitive to sunlight and my eyes are not fully developed. With my glasses I can see from 6 feet what other people can see from 60 feet; lighting, too dim or too bright, makes a huge difference. I had a really tough time in school when we had to play sports which relied on my ability to see a moving ball. While playing rugby, I was OK with seeing the people on the pitch but struggled to keep track of the ball and hardly ever managed to catch it. It did not bother me too much at the time and a few years ago I would never have considered playing a disabled sport because I did not identify myself with the word disabled.

Have you found it difficult to play sports with the existing college/university teams?

When I first wanted to join the rugby club I spoke to the captain and coaches and they were very welcoming and supportive and gave me the chance to get involved. I enjoyed my time with the club but was never any good at rugby and got injured a couple of times. So, after a fun year, I decided to give it up again.

What is your opinion of disability sport provisions at Cambridge?

Through the college system I think there is a lot of inclusion on college teams. For example, the Selwyn College Boat Club has been working really hard this term to allow a blind fresher to row as a novice. Many sports can be made accessible through just a few modifications or altered instructions. I would like to see this inclusivity become more public so that disabled students are more aware of the options they have, and don’t have to feel that they may be a burden on a team. Providing inclusive opportunities is fantastic but just having a specific sport or team can be advantageous. It allows people to compete on a level playing field and also provides social support to many.

Tell us more about Goalball – what is it and when did you start playing?

Goalball is a Paralympic team sport for blind and visually impaired athletes. Anyone can play goalball – you wear a blindfold so there is no need to be visually impaired. The Cambridge team got started in 2012 by the Council and has grown ever since. We now have two teams (one novice and one intermediate) and welcome people of all ages and sporting backgrounds. Joining the Cambridge Dons Goalball Club has been the first time in my life I’ve had contact with other visually impaired people – it’s great to share our experiences, troubles and amusing stories. It’s been amazing to participate in coaching and see players gain confidence. It has also given me the chance to succeed at sport for the first time.

You are now training with the GB team. How did you get involved with them?

I joined the Cambridge Goalball Club in September 2012 and took part in a couple of novice level competitions.Then, in April, I got asked to attend a Talent ID day for the GB women’s squad. A couple of weeks later I was at my first GB training camp and then in early June I went to Poland for my first international competition with the development team. Joining the GB squad was not part of my plan – it just happened. Anyone who wants to do elite level sport needs to love the sport, be hard-working, motivated and good at time management.

How do you manage training with the GB team and doing your degree?

I do about two hours of individual training six times a week; this involves weights, cardio, mobility, core and throwing practice and Cambridge team training. In addition to this we have regular domestic competitions and GB training camps.
Trying to fit this in with my PhD has worked well so far. I need to work hard both in the gym and the lab and be efficient with what I do. I am very fortunate to have a supportive supervisor who is happy for me to work quite flexibly as long as I get my work done. Training with the GB squad has taken over a lot of my free time. I have had to make choices about leaving the MCR committee and being less involved in church. However, I do not regret these decisions as I love Goalball and want to qualify with the team for the 2016 Paralympics.

Any words of wisdom for those students with a disability who might wish to try a sport while at Cambridge?

Don’t be shy to ask for help if you feel you need it. Get in touch with the captain or coach for any of the sports you might want to do and just explain your impairment.
You can also look beyond the university and get involved in local clubs. Being at University is the perfect time to try new things – just go for it!