E.ON Next partners with Veloce’s Kevin Hansen to explore the power of inclusion through England’s Blind Football team

That belief is a key part of the partnership with Veloce Racing, where equality and representation are built into the championship’s DNA.

We invited Veloce driver Kevin Hansen to spend a day with the England Blind Football team to learn how different approaches to teamwork, trust, and communication can inspire change across all sports. His reflections speak for themselves:

What I learned from the England Blind Football Team
By Kevin Hansen, Extreme E Veloce Racing Driver

When you’ve spent most of your life competing in motorsport, you think you have a solid understanding of teamwork, focus, and trust. But every now and then, you can come across an experience that completely redefines your point of view. For me, that moment came when I spent a day with members of the England Blind Football team.

From the moment I arrived at St George’s Park, just being at the national home of football in England felt like something special. England has such an amazing history and presence in the world of football.

Stepping onto the same grounds where so many legends have trained and played was amazing, but what made the day unforgettable was meeting Rory, Efe, Megan and Lucy, and learning what Blind Football is all about. Joining the team and seeing how incredibly skilled they are without sight was an inspiration.

The more I observed and tried taking part, the more I started noticing parallels between their sport and my own world of motorsport. The teamwork was one of the main things for me. The constant short and sharp communication reminded me of being out on the track with my team guiding me, but in Blind Football, it was happening every second.

I was in complete awe seeing how they are guided by members of the team, both those playing on the pitch and those coaching from the sidelines. It was all about working together and trusting in each other and in their own abilities.

That trust stood out the most. In rallycross, you rely on your instincts, your spotter, your mechanics. Everyone plays a part. But imagine competing with one less sense to guide you. These players trust completely in their teammates, in the sounds around them, and in their own intuition. Playing football allows them to achieve a new level of independence and hone skills that can improve their everyday lives.

I have so much respect for these players. Spending the day with them really showed me the power of teamwork, resilience, and adaptability. There are amazing similarities between blind football and motorsport, from trust and communication to the precision required to perform at the highest level.
I walked away from that day with a new perspective, and I feel very lucky that I got the opportunity to meet such inspiring athletes and put myself to the test in a very new way.

Why this matters

Kevin’s reflections highlight why inclusive sport is so important. When different abilities, backgrounds, and experiences are welcomed, the result is stronger teams, smarter solutions, and a culture where talent can thrive in many forms.

This is exactly why we work with Veloce Racing. Extreme E champions equality and representation on and off the track, and experiences like Kevin’s with the England blind football team remind us how much there is to learn when sport makes space for everyone.

By supporting partners who share these values, we aim to help build a future where energy, sport, and society are not only more sustainable, but more inclusive too.