The RNC is a major centre of excellence for visually impaired sport in the United Kingdom and previously hosted the IBSA Blind Football World Championships in 2010.

Next year's Championships will also act as a qualifying tournament for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with the top two sides guaranteeing themselves a spot in Brazil.

The 2016 Paralympic Games host nation are the reigning world champions and won a four-nation tournament held at the RNC earlier this year at which England finished as runners-up.

But the English need to improve on their performance at last year's European Championships in Loano, Italy, where they finished eighth in the eight-team tournament, which saw Spain reclaim the title from France with a 1-0 win in the final.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for England (who play as Great Britain in Paralympics) to benefit from home advantage to qualify for Rio," said Tony Larkin, RNC director and former Great Britain head coach.

"The team train regularly at the RNC's fully accessible sports centre, thePoint4, which has outstanding facilities and acted as a training base for a number of teams in the lead-up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"The 3G pitch, which I believe provides a better playing experience for blind footballers, will also benefit England compared to the 4G surface most of our competitors are used to."

Spain will be the defending European champions when they take to the pitch in Hereford next year ©Getty Images



Blind football made its Paralympics debut at Athens 2004, which saw Brazil claim the gold medal, and they have gone on to retain the title at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Great Britain first appeared in 2008 and Dave Clarke was part of that side which finished fifth in Beijing.

"The 2015 Europeans in Hereford is a great opportunity to raise the profile of blind football in the UK," said Clarke, England's longest serving blind footballer and the team's most prolific goal scorer.

"We played to a packed crowd in London and this is another great chance to watch a world class sporting event in the UK.

"If England finish in the top two next summer they're going to Rio - that's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I hope the England supporters get behind their team."

The draw for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships 2015 is due to take place on November 7.

The Championships are scheduled to be held in August next year with exact dates yet to be confirmed.

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