Rnib Sport

Monika Smith is one of the GB VI Tennis Players taking part in the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 in Birmingham, a member of Metro Blind Sport who has regular coaching from Harlow Tennis Club too.  Our Toby Davey grabbed a few words with Monika just before her first match of the games and began by asking her how she first got into VI Tennis.  Image shows Toby interviewing Monika

With competition hotting up for all the VI Tennis players at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 our Toby managed to grab a few minutes with Louise Assioun GB VI Tennis Head Coach to find out a bit more about her role as head coach at the games and how she feels the GB VI Tennis players might fare during the games. Image shows Toby interviewing Louise

As players from many nations take to the courts for the Visually Impaired Tennis at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 in Birmingham our Toby caught up with Sophie Hall, Disability Competitions Manager at the Lawn Tennis Association to find out a bit more about VI Tennis and the competition which will be taking place over the next few days leading up to the final matches on Sunday 27 August 2023. Image shows Monika Smith serving during the B1 VI Tennis 

Ever wondered what the sight classifications of B1, B2 and B3 mean within blind and partially sighted Sport?   Joy Myint, one of the Classifiers at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 explains what they all mean and her role at the games to our Toby Davey. Image shows IBSA World Blind Games Birmingham 2023 logo

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Chris Whittaker from Sport England about improving access to sport for people with disabilities. They caught up at the recent IBSA World Games in Birmingham. #RNIBConnect Image Shows IBSA Logo

The game of Showdown is on the rise in the UK and Hywel Davies has been speaking to Jack Peters from Showdown UK between matches at the IBSA World Games to find out more about the sport.  To learn more about Showdown visit - Showdown | British Blind Sport Image: Jack standing at the table with the ball in his left and and glove and paddle in his right.

Ilgar Rahimov is the new IBSA President and told RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell how he intends to grow sports in the competition and help more blind and partially sighted people into sport. #RNIBConnect Image Shows IBSA Logo

There’s so much to explore at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham and away from the competition itself, Hywel Davies spoke to blind social media star Toby Addison about what’s on offer at the Activation Zone.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Allan March, from Allan March Sport LTD, to find out how audio description for live sporting events is growing around the globe. #RNIBConnect Image Shows IBSA Logo

Despite picking up a serious leg injury at a recent world tournament, Dan Powell was at the IBSA World Games to cheer on his team GB judo squad members. He told RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell why the sport is great for blind and partially sighted people. #RNIBConnect Image Shows IBSA Logo

Extra time was needed to separate the sides in a frantic final at the men’s Partially sighted football. The final score Ukraine 4 England 3. Hywel Davies caught up with England Captain John McDougall after the game. Image: Captains John McDougall (England) and Robert Tremba (Ukraine) shake hands before the final.

If you have ever wanted to have a go at some of the Blind Sports that many blind and partially sighted people play and compete in at local, national, international and world levels?  Well now is your chance as at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 taking place in Birmingham and the West Midlands through the British Blind Sport Activation Zone you can try your hand at Blind cricket, Blind Tennis, Blind Football, Goalball and Showdown to mention just a few.  Our Toby Davey decided this time to have a go at visually impaired tennis and maybe he was better at serving than keeping a rally going! Image shows IBSA World Games Birmingham 2023 logo

The charity British Blind Sport are hosting some fantastic sports for you to try if your blind or partially sighted. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Ian Isham, from British Blind Sport, to find out what’s in store at the IBSA World Games venue at the University of Birmingham. #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB's Allan Russell with Ian Isham at the University of Birmingham IBSA Activation Zone 

Tony Clark is the Chairman of British Blind Sport Tenpin and he’s also competing for Team GB at this year’s IBSA World Games, where Hywel Davies asked him about the sport in the UK. For more information on Tenpin Bowling, visit the British Blind Sport website - Bowling | British Blind Sport Image: Tony Clark about to release the ball at lane number 4 of the Hollywood Bowl in Birmingham. 

As the Blind Archers start their practice session at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 ready to compete later in the games our Toby Davey caught up with blind veteran and wheelchair user Terry Piper who is competing as a B4 archer in the open competition at the games. Terry talks about the compound bow that he uses and how he is able with the level of sight he has to use a scope on the sight to line his bow up with the target and how his son helps him as his spotter too.  Image shows IBSA World Games Birmingham 2023 logo

As the Blind Archers start their practice session at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 ready to compete later in the Games our Toby Davey catches up with current Blind Archery World Champion Steve Prowse and his wife Lesley who is also his Spotter. Steve began by telling toby how he got into Archery, how he and Lesley work as a team in the competition and how he thinks he might fare during the competition.  Image shows Steve in a team GB shirt firing an arrow with Lesley spotting behind him

Among the familiar sports of blind football, goalball and archery at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham, you’ll also find some sports you might not be so familiar with. Hywel Davies has been speaking with Natalie Shaw from Team GB’s Tenpin Bowling Team. For more information on tenpin bowling in the UK visit the British Blind Sport website - Bowling | British Blind Sport Image: Pins being knocked down at the bowling competition in Birmingham.

Eddie Halstead is a power lifting Referee for this years games in Birmingham and explained some of the rules to RNIB's Allan Russell  #RNIBConnect Image Show IBSA World Game Logo

RNIB Connect Radio Allan Russell, Spoke to the head coach of the Ukrainian Power Lifting Coach ahead of the years IBSA Games Image show IBSA World Games Logo

In front of a raucous home crowd, the England Men’s partially sighted football side advanced to the final of the competition following a hard-fought victory against Japan. Hywel Davies caught up with player Jacob Heasman moments after the final whistle had blown in Walsall. Image: Footballer Jacob Heasman passing the ball with his right foot during the match against Japan.