Blind Footballer Scores an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours

Inspirational visually impaired athlete Samantha Gough has been awarded an MBE in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for services to sport and to the visually impaired community.

Born with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), Sam’s condition means that while her eyes are healthy, her brain cannot fully process visual information. Her sight deteriorated significantly in 2014, requiring her to relearn essential life skills, including mobility and independent navigation.

She describes attending Sight Scotland’s Royal Blind School in Edinburgh as a real turning point in her life.

“This is a huge honour,” said 23-year-old Sam.

“I want to use it to highlight blind football and visually impaired sport, and to show others what can be achieved if you follow your dreams. I have struggled with my mental health and sport truly saved me, so I am determined to show others what can be achieved.

“I would never have believed this was possible, and to be recognised in this way is incredible. There is still so much more we can do to make sport accessible and inclusive, and I hope this helps raise awareness and open doors for more visually impaired athletes.

“It wasn’t very long ago that I didn’t think I could take part in sport at all. I went from being registered partially sighted to severely sight impaired and was basically excluded from all sport.

“Instead of asking how they could support me, I was seen as a problem. If you had told me then what I’d be doing now, I would never have believed you. It shows what can be achieved if you are given the right support.

“The Royal Blind School was a real turning point for me. I was given tailored support and the opportunity to learn vital independent living skills, which really helped rebuild my confidence. It also helped me accept myself and my disability, which was such an important part of my journey. Before I came to the school, I did not fully understand my visual impairment or how to explain it.

“All the amazing things that have happened to me through sport and my advocacy work would not have been possible without the incredible teachers at the Royal Blind School. They believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself and gave me the skills and confidence to move forward. It quite literally changed my life.”

In 2022, Sam made history as the first-ever captain of the England Women’s Blind Football team, a landmark achievement that established her as a pioneer of the women’s game.

Her success extends beyond football. In goalball, she became one of the UK’s top female goal scorers and represented Great Britain at the 2022 European Para Youth Games, where she secured a bronze medal. In rowing, she claimed gold at the 2023 British Rowing Indoor Championships and was selected for the Great Britain Para Rowing performance pathway.

For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.