ACCEPTING her disability was something Brittany Stead struggled to do.

Born with a visual impairment, the deterioration in Brittany's sight over subsequent years made life difficult. She has already had four operations to try and halt the rapid decline, but the discovery of a sport she has become passionate about has enabled her to exceed her limitations to be the best she can be.

The 18-year-old's ambition is to secure a place in the Goalball paralympics in Rio in 2016. Goalball is the only paralympic sport designed specifically for visually impaired people. Played with raised markings on the floor, blindfolds are used to ensure an even playing field as players locate the ball, weighing 1.26kg and of a similar size to a basketball, through sound.

Brittany, from Spen Lane, Cleckheaton, explains each participant wears eye shades making it a fairer playing field for those with varying levels of visibility.

The sport was originally developed to help with the rehabilitation of soldiers after the Second World War and has seen a surge in support and participation. In the past two years the number of active clubs has soared from 18 to 30 across the country.

Since taking the sport up at the age of 15, Brittany has achieved great success. As well as being a member of the British women's goalball squad, she also plays for Kirklees.

For Brittany, Goalball has given her a new lease of life. "I really struggled, I didn't think anything was possible any more. I refused to use a long cane or any mobility aids. I was quite happy to walk into lamp-posts instead. I was ashamed of it," says Brittany, recalling the early years when she struggled to accept her restricted visibility.

It was her mobility officer who introduced her to Goalball by inviting her to a taster session and, by doing so, has opened up a whole new lease of life.

"He made me come round to accept my visual impairment. He really helped me to turn it around."

Although she didn't take to it after the initial session, she soon got into it. "After the second session I started to fall in love with the sport."

Brittany, who plays in the position of right or centre, says the sport offered her the opportunity to meet people with similiar disabilities. "Two years down the line I was selected for the GB squad in 2013.

"It is my world now. It makes me who I am and getting that phone call - I didn't expect to go anywhere, I expected to use it as a hobby, but to get the call up for the GB squad was a dream come true."

Being part of a team in a minority sport, Brittany considers her fellow players as family. "Because I spend so much time with them training it is almost going home from home to Goalball."

Another important individual in her life is her three-year-old Golden Retriever guide dog, Honey. "She comes to training sessions but she stays in the changing room because she is petrified of the ball," says Brittany, who trains four to five times a week and also goes to the gym four times a week to maintain her optimum fitness. "You have to be the healthiest you can be," she adds.

While dedicated to the sport, she is currently in full-time education and hopes to study sociology at university.

But her main goal is to get to the Rio Olympics. The team came fifth in the paralympic qualifyers in South Korea in May.

Participating in eight tournaments a year through the domestic league, playing Goalball has allowed Brittany to travel.

Among the places she has visited through her participation in the sport with the GB team are Poland, Sweden, Hungary, Turkey and Venice.

While still a predominantly male-dominated sport, Brittany explains they are trying to encourage more women to get involved through the 'This Girl Can' campaign developed by Sport England and various partnership organisations. "The more time that passes more women are getting involved," says Brittany.

To help raise awareness, and to support Goalball clubs to cope with the surge in demand for the sport, Brittany will be joining fellow West Yorkshire Goalball players by riding the 170 miles of the Way of the Roses.

Each player will ride tandem with a fully sighted team mate on the gruelling route which sets off from Morecambe on August 3 and arrives in Bridlington on August 6.

Mike Reilly, CEO of Goalball UK, who will also be participating in the challenge said: “It’s been an incredibly exciting few years for Goalball with involvement, both on and off the court reaching new heights. With more new clubs in the pipeline, and others growing rapidly, we need to make sure that we can support Goalball players old and new around the country.”

Adds Brittany: “Everyone involved in Goalball is tremendously dedicated to the sport. We want as many people as possible to be playing which is what this fundraising is all about. We’re training hard and, despite the nerves, are very excited! It’s a beautiful route and we can’t wait to get on our bikes.”

* To donate money to the team, visit justgiving.com/GoalballUK-c2c