All at Metro Blind Sport where deeply saddened by his passing, Roger helped many of our members and staff and you cannot count the numbers of VI people he inspired to achieve their full potential, Roger will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends at this difficult time.

Goalball UK mourn the passing of Roger Clifton

Everyone today was saddened to hear that Roger Clifton has died after a prolonged illness. Roger has been involved in the sport of goalball for many years, as a past player and administrator within our sport and a positive influence within inclusive sport.

Whilst under the management of British Blind Sport, Roger led the consultation that led to the independence and formation of Goalball UK. Roger also supported over 50 Governing Bodies of Sport in achieving the Equality Standard for Sport. He managed Sport England’s Active Communities Development fund programme, allocating over £15m to underrepresented groups.  Roger also helped establish the English Federation of Disability Sport and was subsequently a Board member for 4 years. These are just an example of the difference he helped to make.

We all pass on our condolences to Roger’s family and friends. He helped to create a legacy that we all benefit from and he will be sadly missed.

Becky Ashworth –  goalballuk

Tribute to Roger Clifton

Last Sunday was a really sad day. It was the day when one of our really ‘good guys’, Roger Clifton, passed away after his long battle with cancer. Some of you who read this newsletter will know Roger and will appreciate exactly what I mean.
Those of you who don’t may well be benefiting from Roger’s many achievements and the legacy he leaves us all:

· Past player and leader with Goalball UK, who helped to establish it

· Managed Sport England’s Active Communities Development fund programme between 2001-2004, allocating over £15 million to underrepresented groups

· Piloted the Equality Standard for Sport and supported over 50 National Governing Bodies of Sport to achieve it – producing a 100 editions of the Equality in Sport newsletter, providing training to staff and board members and presenting his views on the Standard to The House Magazine – and throughout all influencing both policy makers and practitioners to widen access into sport by challenging the status quo and chipping away at the barriers

· Instrumental in establishing the English Federation of Disability Sport and board member in its early days

· Past board member of the British Blind Sport

· Vice-chair of the London Sports Forum for Disabled People for five years

· First male member of the Women’s Sports Foundation board (now Women In Sport)

· Past member of Comic Relief’s Sport Relief grants sub-committee, using knowledge of community issues to assist voluntary groups to resolve conflict

· Supported various disability charities to secure significant funding from the National Lottery and other funds

· Supported countless organisations / projects to deliver equality in sport, ensuring an offer of sporting opportunities for everyone – achieved through his sound advice, knowledge and persuasive steering

Over recent years Roger has focussed his interest on helping to prevent loss of sight in Walthamstow and the Borough of Waltham Forest where he lived, through the establishment of East London Vision. This is expanding into a London wide initiative with the Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Above all it is Roger, himself, who we will sadly miss – his sense of fun and spirit of adventure; his positivity and pragmatism against any challenges faced; his genuine integrity and unfailing loyalty and support for colleagues and friends – all awesome and inspirational!

Editor – my thanks to Nikki Enoch, VAGA Associates, for writing this tribute to her real friend.