Rnib Sport

Today (Tuesday 22 February 2022) Paralympics GB have announced the selected athletes who will be representing Great Britain in Beijing at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games (4 - 13 March 2022). RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with visually impaired alpine skier Millie Knight who along with her Guide Skier, Bret Wild, have been selected to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. Millie first competed in the Winter Paralympic Games at the age of 14 out in Sochi in 2014 with her Mum as her Guide Skier and she was picked to hold the flag and lead out the team too.  Millie went on to compete with her Guide Skier Bret Wild in the winter games in PyeongChang in 2018 and won two silver medals. Millie and Bret recently became Super Combined Champions at the 2022 World Championships which were held in Norway in January 2022. Millie began by telling Toby how she got into skiing and competing in those early days with her Mum as her Guide Skier. Millie then explained to Toby how she and Bret work

An upcoming event in Liverpool is hoping to give blind and partially sighted people of all ages the chance to try new sports. Hywel Davies has been finding out more. If you're in the Merseyside area and would like to give it a go, you can go along to the Greenbank Sports Academy on Sunday February 13th. Or sign up beforehand at www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/events/lets-get-active-day-liverpool/ 

Each year, the charity British Blind Sport holds it's, free and popular, swimming gala for visually impaired children aged 3 to 17. There's fun for beginners and competitions for swimmers who like a challenge and everyone is welcome. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Philippa Bass, from BBS, to learn more about the event and how you can register to attend. If you'd like more info about BBS, or the swimming gala, go to www.britishblindsport.org.uk You can also call them on 01926 424 247 or email philippa@britishblindsport.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: British Blind Sport logo

You may be surprised to learn that, as a country famous for it's love of football, Scotland doesn't have many options for blind or partially sighted people to take up the game. That might be about to change though with the help of RNIB Scotland, Bathgate CFC and partners like the Scottish Football Association. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke with Dan Meikle from RNIB Scotland to learn more about the grass roots opportunities which are now gaining traction. We also hear from partially sighted footballer Neil Atkinson and Paul from Bathgate Community Football Club. If you'd like more info about Bathgate CFC, go to www.bathgatethistlecfc.co.uk or search for them on social media. #RNIBConnect Image: See Sport Differently logo

Barry Snell catches up with Stuart Shepherd and Stuart Richards, 2 of the 'Wrekin Rowers' who have just completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a 3000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. The four-man crew were fundraising for RNIB and the Severn Hospice and have so far managed to raise more than £106k. If you would like to find out more about the Wrekin Rowers please click on the link below: Wrekin-rowers.com Image: Wrekin rowers logo, a drawing of the crew inside their boat with waves surrounding them}

By his own admission, Dave Williams said he was the type of person who wouldn't run for a bus and getting fit wasn't his first priority. After being bitten by the tandem cycling bug, he moved onto running completely by accident. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Dave to find out how you can team up with a guide runner, how you start off your running journey and how you get to the stage where your looking to compete in some of the biggest marathons in the world. If you'd like more info on Guide Runners, or other sporting opportunities, go to www.britishblindsport.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: Boston Marathon logo 

British Blind Sport is a charity which is dedicated to making sport and leisure activities as accessible as possible for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. They also work with governing bodies, along with industry leaders and providers, to make venues and opportunities open and welcoming for people with sight loss. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Alex Pitts, from BBS, to look ahead to events like their annual swimming gala, Have A Go Days around the UK and a massive project called See Sport Differently. If you'd like more information about British Blind Sport, go to www.britishblindsport.org.uk You can also email info@britishblindsport.org.uk or call 01926 424 247. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB's See Sport Differently logo

Barry Snell chats to Stuart Shepherd from the Wreckin Rowers, as the and his crew members row frantically towards Antigua and the end of the #TWAC Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021, a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for RNIB and the Severn Hospice. During a brief rest Stuart talks about some of the challenges they have faced, including having their boat damaged by Marlin jumping out the water. The four man crew are Martin Skeehan, Stuart Shepherd and Brothers Gary and Stuart Richards. Read more about their epic challenge by clicking on the link below wrekin-rowers.com Image: Wrekin Rowers logo, which is a drawing of the guys in their boat at the mercy of the sea with the Wreckin Rowers logo underneath. The clouds are different shades of blue, to emphasise the waves.

Energise Leisure Centre in York are just one of the organisations that have taken advantage of a free accessibility toolkit from the charity Thomas Pocklington Trust. The free toolkit provides training and support for leisure providers, and their staff, to create a welcoming and accessible environment for customers who are blind or partially sighted. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Lucy Barratt, from Energise Leisure Centre in York, to find out why the free resource is so valuable. If you'd like to find out more about the free toolkit, go to www.pocklington-trust.org.uk or www.ukcoaching.org If your in the York area and would like to find out more about Energise, go to www.better.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB's See Sport Differently logo

Many blind and partially sighted people miss out on going to places like the gym, leisure centre or other sporting clubs, simply because the venues don't know how to assist someone with a sight loss condition. Now, a new free toolkit from Pocklington Trust and UK Coaching can help service providers make their venues welcoming and confident places to go. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Martin Symcox, from TPT, to learn more about the free resource and why making facilities accessible for visually impaired visitors can be very inexpensive. If you'd like more info, or would like to get the free toolkit, go to www.pocklington-trust.org.uk or www.ukcoaching.org #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB's See Sport Differently logo

Barry Snell chats to Matthew Allcock, who despite his visual impairment loves nothing better than a sporting challenge… the latest of which is Rollerblading. Matthew is keen for more people with sight loss to get involved and he certainly thinks its worth all the cuts and bruises. {Image: A close up of someone's legs, from the knee down. They are outside, in the sun and they are wearing shiny black rollerblades and black protective knee pads}

The Saltire Strikers are a 10 pin bowling club, based in Glasgow, for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. The club is looking for new members and volunteers to get involved in the game, for fun or for competitions. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Ian Stevenson, from Saltire Strikers, to learn more about the club. If you'd like more info, or would like to join as a player or volunteer, go to http://saltirestrikers.co.uk/ #RNIBConnect  Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

Scottish Disability Golf And Curling are looking for more visually impaired people to try the game of golf or curling, even if they've never taken part in the pursuits before. You can play for fun, to increase your social circle or even play in national and international competitions. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Jim Gales, from SDGC, to learn more about the sports and how you can get free tuition from professionals. If you'd like more information, go to https://www.scottishdgc.org.uk/ #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

After a 2 year break, due to Lockdown rules, the ever popular Blind Sailing Week is back. If your blind or partially sighted, you can get out on the water for a fantastic week of yachting and beginners are welcome. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Will Bridge to find out more about the week and how you can get more information. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

Now when it comes to getting active and involved in sports, Rowing might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but Ellie's been catching up with one woman, who takes it all in her stride. To get involved with the campaign visit- See Sport Differently - RNIB - See differently  You can also find more interviews, case studies and information using the Hashtag #SeeSportDifferently on all social media.  Image shows: See Sport Differently Logo. RNIB in black letters at the top with pink stripes that look like the curve of a running track and in black letters underneath See Sport Differently.

With the launch of See Sports Differently we are looking at all the different ways people find to stay active and socialise with other people, Ellie's been talking to one group ahead of their first face to face session. To get involved with the campaign visit- See Sport Differently - RNIB - See differently  You can also find more interviews, case studies and information using the Hashtag #SeeSportDifferently on all social media.  Image shows: See Sport Differently Logo. RNIB in black letters at the top with pink stripes that look like the curve of a running track and in black letters underneath See Sport Differently.

With the launch of See Sport Differently we've been talking to blind and partially sighted people about their experience with sports. Ellie's been catching up with one man whose experience with Rugby brought him out of a dark depression and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. To get involved with the campaign visit- See Sport Differently - RNIB - See differently  You can also find more interviews, case studies and information using the Hashtag #SeeSportDifferently on all social media.  Image shows: See Sport Differently Logo. RNIB in black letters at the top with pink stripes that look like the curve of a running track and in black letters underneath See Sport Differently.

Let's chat rugby! And today, joining our Paulina Kuchorew to share with us his love of Rugby, is Leeds Rhinos Physical Disability Rugby League player James King.  RNIB knows that sport can have a positive impact on people's lives, but new research shows that blind and partially sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive than people without sight loss.   RNIB's new  See Sport Differently campaign aims to change that, by breaking down barriers to sport and increasing participation opportunities for blind and partially sighted people. Find out more about the Leeds Rhinos : Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) - Leeds Rhinos Foundation To find out more and get involved with See Sport Differently visit: https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/see-sport-differently Image shows James dressed in his team shirt in front of a white background. 

To celebrate RNIB’w #SeeSportDifferently campaign Connect Radio’s Red Szell met rising VI Tennis star Naqi Rizvi at The Globe Tennis Club in Camden. To get involved with the campaign visit- See Sport Differently - RNIB - See differently  You can also find more interviews, case studies and information using the Hashtag #SeeSportDifferently on all social media.  Image shows: See Sport Differently Logo. RNIB in black letters at the top with pink stripes that look like the curve of a running track and in black letters underneath See Sport Differently.

Running may seem to some like something that is for the fittest of the fit, people who have always been runners but Ellie's been talking to partially sighted runner Sundip who started running in his late 20's and now 10 years later has completed ultra marathons. Ellie's been finding out what motivates him, and what his advice would be to novice runners about to get started. To get involved with the campaign visit- See Sport Differently - RNIB - See differently  You can also find more interviews, case studies and information using the Hashtag #SeeSportDifferently on all social media.  Image shows: See Sport Differently Logo. RNIB in black letters at the top with pink stripes that look like the curve of a running track and in black letters underneath See Sport Differently.