When presented with the opportunity to help raise awareness for the Maryland School for the Blind, First Financial Federal Credit Union was eager to jump on board; after all, being a part of something as exciting as setting a world record made the opportunity irresistible. First Financial provided a $1,000 sponsorship for the school’s special sporting event December 7 and 8, 2018, in which it attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for playing the longest game of goalball.
Goalball is a fast-paced contact sport developed especially for blind athletes. During play, two teams of three players use tactile markers on the floor to maintain their orientation as they attempt to roll a ball embedded with bells past the opposing team and across a goal line. The goal for the special event was to hold continuous play for more than 25 hours to set a new world record for the longest game of goalball – and they did it, playing 25 hours and 30 seconds.
As a sponsor of the event, First Financial sought to promote the school’s mission and raise awareness for disability sports while showcasing the game of goalball.
“We already enjoy an active and engaged partnership with the Maryland School for the Blind,” said First Financial President and CEO Eric Church, “but being a part of promoting the school in a way that really helped unify and rally the community made this event all the more special. We couldn’t be more proud of the Maryland School for the Blind athletes, and congratulate them on their world record setting achievement.”
A Guinness World Record for the longest game of goalball in the making.