Nicole Esdaile describes herself as passionate, determined and friendly. Living in Brisbane with her husband Michael Sheppard, a fellow goalball player and member of the Australian men’s team, Nicole describes getting married as the scariest but most exciting thing that she has ever done.

She also laughs when she remembers her husband asking why she was walking back down the aisle strangely and promptly and loudly telling him it was because he kept standing on her dress.

Nicole first experienced goalball during a primary school demonstration and played ever since. She believes the highlight of her career so far was saving a penalty and scoring off the next ball against Greece at the 2010 Goalball World Championships, however winning a tough game against Germany at the Paralympic qualifiers in Turkey also stands out as a highlight.

She loves the equality all players experience once on the goalball court. With each player wearing standard black-out goggles, the sport focuses on an athlete’s sporting ability rather than vision impairment. Nicole sees herself as the team’s all rounder, in that she can defend effectively in all positions on the court.

Away from the goalball court, Nicole works as a policy advisor and enjoys listening to music and supporting the Brisbane Lions AFL team.

In the future Nicole would like to learn a new musical instrument but above all else, looks forward to the day when she can call herself a Paralympian.