RNIB - See Sport Differently

Let's chat sport.
Staying active can be a great way to not only look after our health and wellbeing but also to socialise and meet new people.
So today, we're hearing all about a new project that is inviting visually impaired people to give Rugby a go in Scotland!
Maggie Lawrie from Strathmore Community Rugby Trust spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew about the sessions and how to join in. 

The sessions run every Sunday morning at the Forfar Community Campus and are available to anyone 18-years or over. 

To find out more email: [email protected] or visit: https://www.strathmoretrust.co.uk/

Image shows an outline of a person running with a rugby ball in their hand with the words: 'Developing People Through Rugby' underneath. 

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 when they are competing and hurtling down the slopes at breakneck speeds.
Millie ended by sharing with Toby her thoughts on going into the games following the recent success she and Bret had at the World Championships, although Millie tells Toby that she is focusing on her day to day routine and keeping fit both physically and mentally and taking each day as it comes to be in the best shape for the games.
We wish Millie, Bret and the rest of the Paralympics GB Team all the best for the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing from everyone here at the RNIB.  Here on RNIB Connect Radio we will be following the teams progress, so do listen out  for more about the Winter Paralympic Games as they happen here on Connect Radio.


(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

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 [email protected]

#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 [email protected] 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