Rachel Henderson’s rise to the top of Australian goalball has been rapid. From South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Rachel had never before played the exclusively vision-impaired sport until 2010 when she was invited to attend an APC Talent Camp.

After showing much potential, Rachel was fast-tracked through Australia’s goalball program and developed her skills so quickly, she was selected for the Australian Women’s Team for the 2011 IBSA Goalball World Games, where she scored four goals. So excited to make the team, she describes getting the call from Australian Women’s Goalball Head Coach Georgina Kenaghan as one of the greatest moments in her sporting career.

Rachel was born with retinitis pigmentosa and was diagnosed at four years old. Always involved with sport, she once dreamed of pursuing athletics, specialising in the javelin until she discovered goalball. Describing herself as active, she admits she still has a lot to learn about goalball but enjoys learning the game from her team mates.

Rachel is currently studying to become a pre-school teacher and in her spare time, likes to cook and listen to Beyonce.

As the only member of the team to live in South Australia, she is coached by APC Development Coordinator and athletics coach, Cathy Lambert.