Rnib Sport

The Commonwealth Games launch in Birmingham on July 28th 2022, with the sporting spectacular showing off it's inclusive credentials. Over the games RNIB Connect Radio's presenters will be in the sporting venues, following the action and bringing you the latest on our blind and partially sighted sporting greats. Today we're joined by Emma Ord, from Birmingham 2022, to look at how accessible the games will be for participants, spectators and other visitors. Keep up to date with our interviews and reports on Freeview channel 730, online at www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk or via apps like Radio Player or on your Smart speakers. For our podcasts, go to your favourite podcast provider and search for RNIB See Sport Differently. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

The Commonwealth Games launch in Birmingham on July 28th 2022, with the sporting spectacular showing off it's inclusive credentials. Over the games RNIB Connect Radio's presenters will be in the sporting venues, following the action and bringing you the latest on our blind and partially sighted sporting greats. Today, Alaina MacGregor, CEO of British Blind Sport, and David Clarke, Chief Operating Officer for RNIB, look ahead to the games and next year's IBSA World Championships, which will also be held in Birmingham. Keep up to date with our interviews and reports on Freeview channel 730, online at www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk or via apps like Radio Player or on your Smart speakers. For our podcasts, go to your favourite podcast provider and search for RNIB See Sport Differently. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB See Sport Differently

Are you on the look-out for a great way to get fit? Well, there are some free taster sessions coming up in Bristol and joining our Paulina Kuchorew to tell us all about them are fitness instructors Hayley Rose and Marcella Manzilli.  Taster Days for Keep Fit Classes will take place at 2 PM on Monday 19th of September and 26th of September. Classes will continue after that every Monday at 2 PM at the same location. Location:  Kingswood leisure centre  Church road  Staple hill BS16 4RH  Email contact: rechargeft@gmail.com Image shows a woman stretching out on a yoga mat. She is holding the upward dog position. The legs are stretched out straight, the toes out, and the weight of the body is supported on the hands with outstretched arms so the hips are off the ground. The gaze is directed straight upwards, so the neck and back are arched.

If you're looking for more ways to keep active, then visiting a 'Have a Go Day' run by British Blind Sport is a great way to get started. The next event will be held in south Wales on Saturday August 27th. If you'd like more information on how you can take part, call 01926 424247, or visit the website www.britishblindsport.org.uk/bbs-a-have-a-go-day-in-swansea/ 

Time to take to the high seas again as we catch up with visually impaired sailor Emily Wright who took part in her first ever yacht race with the Round the Island Race on Saturday 25 June 2022 with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust on the Trust’s yacht Solent Hero with Ellen MacArthur joining the crew for the race too.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey began by asking Emily what the build up was like for the Round the Island Race, the practice day, getting up early on Saturday morning to get to the start line and what it was like waiting for the gun to go off for the start of Emily’s first Round the Island Race. Emily described to Toby what it was like after the start gun had gone off, tacking up to that iconic Isle of Wight landmark, the Needles, sailing round the Island and coming back to Cowes to the finish line with the spinnaker (kite) flying and Emily taking the helm too while the kite was up.  Emily also shared with Toby how inspiring it was to have Ellen join the crew of Solent Hero for the Round

For the first time the Cinch Tennis Championships at Queens will have the unique 'Action Audio' available for visually impaired viewers. Hywel Davies has been finding out why it's such an important milestone for fans in the UK. If you want to experience the 'Action Audio' coverage of the semi-finals and finals of the Cinch Tennis Championships, you can do so via the LTA's website www.lta.org.uk and via the BBC Sport website www.bbc.co.uk/sport on Saturday June 18th and Sunday June 19th 2022.

Now time to take to the waters to hear all about how visually impaired sailor Emily Wright first took up the sport of sailing as one of the activities on offer from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Emily has not only completed her RYA Day Skipper certificate, notching up many nautical  miles with the trust but Emily will be racing round the Isle of Wight on Saturday 25 June with the Trust for the annual Round the Island Yacht Race 2022. Emily also has her sights set on representing Great Britain in blind sailing championships having recently started training with GBR Blind Sailing. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey who has done a bit of sailing himself caught up with Emily to find out how she is feeling about taking part in her first Round the Island Race with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and how the recent training has been going with GBR Blind Sailing.   Emily began by telling Toby how she first heard of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and how Ellen’s story of coming 2nd in the single-handed Vendé

You've heard of the Brownly brothers, but have you heard of the Tandem Twins? Chloe and Judith MacCombe, twins and Para-Triathletes will be heading to Birmingham in the summer to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Ellie caught up with them to find out what it means to them, and to find out about just home much training is involved.  You can follow Chloe and Judith's progress by following them on social media @tandem_twins  We'll be bringing you all the excitement from the games on RNIB Connect Radio  Image shows: Chloe (left) and Judith (right) after a race in their triathlon training gear, Chloe is in blue and black and Judith is in a pink, orange and black. 

The Queens Club Championships is one of the highlights of the British Tennis season. Hywel Davies has been finding out how new technology has made this year's finals more accessible than ever. Action Audio is available for the semi-finals and Final of the Cinch Championships on Saturday June 18th and Sunday June 19th, you'll find all the details on the LTA website - www.lta.org.uk/fan-zone/international/cinch-championships/match-centre/ (Image shows a packed centre court watching a tennis game)

Blind players from Brighton and Hove Albion FC are getting ready to take part in this year's FA Disability Cup Tournament. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Charlotte Lloyd, from British Blind Sport, and Paul Brackley, from Brighton FC, to learn more about the tournament and the team. #RNIBConnect Image shows: Logo for Brighton And Hove Albion FC

Time now to talk sports, in particular wrestling, David Hogg has been speaking to blind pro wrestler James Chilvers about his sight loss, his wrestling career and how it felt to have a character in the movie Fighting With My Family based on his story.

The sport of Goalball has been growing in popularity but how easy is it to play and can anyone give it a go? Our Paulina Kuchorew spoke with a newbie to the sport, Jay Johnson, about his recent decision to join the Glasgow Goalball Club. Give Glasgow Goalball Club a follow here: Glasgow Goalball | Facebook Fore more information on Goalball in your local area visit: Goalball UK – Transforming people's lives Image shows Jay with a dog. 

Let's learn a little bit about goalball today! Our Paulina Kuchorew headed over to a local goalball session to meet with Alan Lewis from the Glasgow Goalball Club. Give Glasgow Goalball Club a follow here: Glasgow Goalball | Facebook Fore more information on Goalball in your local area visit: Goalball UK – Transforming people's lives Image shows members of the Glasgow Goalball Club holding up a Glasgow Goalball Banner. 

This June sees the first ever Women's Blind Football 'European Championships' in Italy. Hywel Davies spoke to the newly formed England Women's side ahead of the competition. For more information on how to watch the Women's Team in action when they take on Germany, visit www.ibsasport.org To find out how you can get involved in blind football, visit Blind Football - Football Your Way - Disability - Play - Get Involved | The Football Association (thefa.com) (Image shows two football players tackling for the ball at St George's Park)

The Tower Hamlet's Canoeing Club is encouraging more people with sight loss to take up canoeing. They have dedicated training courses and are also training volunteer guides to open up the leisure activity to more people. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Alex Smith, from the club, and blind canoeist Richard Simpson to learn more about the sport and how they hope other clubs will follow in their wake. #RNIBConnect Image: See Sport Differently logo

Paralympic champion Melanie Barratt is hoping to become the first blind woman to cross the English Channel solo. She won't be taking to the high seas until 2024 but there is  a lot of training, and a few lakes and locks to conquer along the way. Ellie caught up with Melanie to find out about the training, the inspiration and her new initiative which could help you get into cold water swimming. To follow Melanie's journey you can find her on Facebook, just search for 'Against the tide - blind wild swimming'. You can find her on Instagram @blind_girl_swims  To join the new group matching up experienced cold water swimmers with a blind or partially sighted person wanting to give it a try, search for 'blind swim buddies' on Facebook.  Inage shows: Melanie smiling in the sea, with the cost in the background and her goggles on her head. 

June 2022 will see BT Sport broadcast the finals of the FA Disability Cup, which will feature some of the best blind and partially sighted football teams. The FA is also in the midst of a huge internal and external project to improve access to the game, to voluntary and employment opportunities and to grow more grass roots teams which will showcase the best players with a range of disabilities and sensory challenges. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Baroness Sue Campbell from the FA to find out more. #RNIBConnect Image: England Football Association logo

Barry Snell chats with Barry McCluskey ahead of this years British Open blind golf championship, which gets underway during the first week of July. One of many upcoming tournaments, Barry's keen to get back out playing regularly after the past few years of lockdown restrictions. Barry also mentions how he has recently become involved in politics. if you would like to find out more information about Barry McCluskey click on the link below to visit his website. barrymccluskeyblindgolfer.co.uk

If you're blind and interested in playing football for fun or to reach the heights of playing for your country, the National Blind League wants to hear from you. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Robin Williams to learn more about the set up, it's goals for the future and how you can get involved in your local area. If you'd like more information about NBL, email Robin@robinwilliams.blog You can also call or text 07525809495 There's an Instagram page @FABlindFootball or find them on Facebook. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB's See Sport Differently logo

Dave Heeley OBE, known to many as blind Dave, has raised thousands of pounds for charity fundraising around the World. In his latest challenge Dave and his team cycled 800 miles from Colditz Castle in Germany to West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns stadium, in the West Midlands. Barry Snell caught up with Dave to find out how this challenge felt after the last few years of Covid restrictions. If you would like to learn more about Dave, click here: https://blinddaveheeley.co.uk/ [Image - Close up of a smiling Dave taken while he is running, he is wearing a white T-shirt, with Blind Dave written in blue across the front. He is also wearing a blue and grey bandana}