Rnib Sport

The countdown is well underway for a great summer of para sports. Hywel Davies caught up with Adam Lione from the England Partially Sighted Football side, to hear about their latest training camp. Image: Adam kicking the ball while taking part in a football training session.

Ramblers GB encourages us to get out and about to improve our physical and mental health. As well as showing us great walks, for all abilities, their volunteers maintain and look after a great many routes for us to enjoy. The association has just unveiled it’s new President who’s dedicated to growing our interest in getting out and about. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Tom Platt, from The Ramblers, and their new President. For more info on the organisation, go to www.ramblers.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: Amar Latif, Ramblers New President

Saturday April 8th will see the latest round of matches for the European Blind Football League come to Hereford. The Royal National College for the Blind will not only host the matches, their own team will be taking part. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Coach Adam Bendall and 1 of their players, Kieran Clarke, to find out more… You can watch the matches, with audio described commentary, by going to www.rnc.ac.uk Or via their Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/RNCHereford #RNIBConnect Image: The Royal National College for the Blind, Blind Football Team

Ahead of the World Blind Games in Birmingham this summer, we’re getting to know some of the athletes taking part. Hywel Davies has been speaking to Archer Clive Jones. You can find out more about finding a sport that’s right for you by visiting the British Blind Sport activity finder – www.britishblindsport.org.uk/see-sport-differently

Step Change Studios is an award-winning dance company which provides classes for all abilities and ages.  Amelia talked to Step Change Studio founder, Dr Rashmi Becker MBE, about how the company began, their upcoming free Bollywood and Latin dance classes for blind and partially sighted students and how they're making dance more inclusive by providing training for fitness and dance professionals. You can learn more about the classes, workshops and future events from Step Change Studios by going to their website stepchangestudios.com

If you know a young person who’s looking for a new challenge, VI Rugby might be the answer, as Hywel Davies finds out. To find out more information about the Dragons VI Rugby sessions, contact Inclusion Officer Karen Burgess via email at karen.burgess@dragonsrugby.wales

British Blind Sport has launched new training sessions to help organisations from across the private, public and 3rd sectors, make their sport and leisure activities accessible and inclusive for blind and partially sighted people of all ages.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Frankie, from BBS, to find out more. You can get more info on the training and the work of BBS by visiting www.britishblindsport.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: British Blind Sport logo

Are you looking to get out and about? With more on how you can keep active in the Glasgow area, here's David Hogg.

Every year, thousands of people take part in the Kiltwalk to raise money for their chosen charity.  David Hogg spoke with this year's RNIB Kiltwalk Ambassador Shona Black about her preparations for the event and how you can get involved. 

The International Blind Sport Federation, IBSA, will showcase some of the best blind and partially sighted athletes in it’s world games, when it comes to Birmingham in August 2023. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to John Timms, Event Director, to find out how plans are progressing for the global event. If you’d like more info on the games, go to www.ibsagames2023.co.uk #RNIBConnect Image: The International Blind Sport Federation

British Blind Sport is taking bookings for it’s annual swimming gala and there’s something for non swimmers and those who want to take things to a more professional level. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Ian Isham, from BBS, to find out more about the day and how to register. You can get more from www.britishblindsport.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: British Blind Sport logo

Visually impaired skier Menna Fitzpatrick became Britain’s most decorated Paralympic skier after winning a silver and bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games with her guide skier Gary Smith.  Menna and her guide skier Katie Guest have just come back from the 2023 Para Alpine World Championships in Spain with a silver in the Giant Slalom and a bronze in the Slalom to add to Menna’s growing medal tally. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Menna to find out more about how she and Katie got on at the 2023 Para Alpine Worlds. Menna began by giving Toby a run down on how the conditions were on the slopes out in Spain, what the competition was like and how close the skiing was. Then Menna explained to Toby how she and Katie work together when skiing, how menna has to rely more on the radio coms between her and Katie when the conditions on the slopes are not so good for the level of vision she has especially when it is very sunny and there are very light and very dark patches on the sl

A unique event in Cardiff brought together blind and partially sighted children to learn more about VI rugby and to prove that when it comes to sport, there’s a jersey for everyone. You can find out more about Cardiff VI Rugby including details on how to join their training sessions by following them on Twitter - @CardiffVIRugby or by emailing Evan Vaughan-Lewis, evan.vaughan-lewis@cardiffrugby.wales

England and Wales Blind Golf are helping players and sighted guides to get active, form friendships and get into the swing of the game. Amelia talked to the charity’s secretary Andy and sighted guide Geoff for more… Go to ewblindgolf.co.uk to learn more  Image Description: England and Wales Blind Golf logo featuring a red figure in a cap swinging a golf club.

After getting serious about outdoor swimming during the lockdown in 2020, one RNIB volunteer swam the English Channel as part of a relay team. He tells Hywel Davies that he didn't let his sight loss slow him down.

England and Wales Blind Golf (EWBG) are hosting open days so blind and partially sighted people can get active and connect with others through the sport. Amelia talked to EWBG Secretary Andy Gilford, Trafford Golf Centre Manager Pete Styles and John Biesse from Timebanking UK about the success of the last open day and how people can get involved… The next open day is on Tuesday the 31st January at the Warwickshire in the Midlands, Visit www.ewblindgolf.co.uk to learn more about EWBG and the upcoming Open Day. Visit www.timebanking.org to learn more about Timebanking UK. Visit www.traffordgolfcentre.co.uk to learn more about Trafford Golf Centre. Image: Golfers teeing up and swinging golf clubs, some with sighted helpers aiding them to position clubs in a row of driving range bays.

Former international blind footballer and Chief Operations Officer for UK sight loss charity RNIB, David Clarke, has been appointed as the new CEO of the British Paralympic Association. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to David ahead of his move. #RNIBConnect Image shows David Clarke.

Our David Hogg has more on how you can get out and about in Edinburgh To find out more or to get involved in the East Lothian Health Walk group you can email Shona at Shona.Black@RNIB.org.uk

Sam Gough is a blind sports sensation.   She joined Amelia Hilton to talk about her Swimming, Blind Football, and Goalball triumphs. Image: RNIB Connect Radio logo.

What's it like going to the World Cup when you're blind? How can you enjoy audio description live from the ground when you're thousands of miles away? Dave Williams speaks to blind football fan Pardy Gill about his experiences watching World Cup football in Qatar. They also discuss how you can access live audio description for all the remaining games. Download information for the FIFA Interpreting app can be found here: iOS: FIFA Interpreting on the App Store (apple.com) Google Play Store: FIFA Interpreting - Apps on Google Play Event Codes for remaining matches: December 9: Netherlands vs Argentina - ADCLUS December 9: Croatia vs Brazil - ADCECS December 10: Morocco vs Portugal - ADCATS December 10: England vs France - ADCABS December 13: Semi Final - ADCLUS December 14: Semi Final - ADCABS December 17: Third Place Play-Off: ADCKIS December 18: Final - ADCLUS