Metro Blind Sport: Inclusive Sport, Community and Opportunity

Over the weekend metro blind sport held their annual metro games for blind and partially sighted individuals cheers, laughter, smiles and friendships echoed through the stadium and wholesome day.

Image Credits to Nailah Gajia

Image description:  2 people running on a red track facing towards green grass, one person is wearing a blue t-shirt with the bib number 53 and holding onto the other person wearing a red t-shirt they are both running 

Athletes, families, volunteers, guide runners gathered throughout the day to celebrate sport,community and competition. While medals and personal achievement were a massive part of the day. It was clear the Metro Games were so much bigger than athletes alone.From first time participants experiencing track and field to experienced athletes looking to improve previous performances every competitor arrived with their own goals and ambitions. But what brings them all together was they all got to take part in a welcoming and inclusive environment where barriers were removed and participation was celebrated 

Speaking to Fran and Rory from Metro Blind Sport they shared how metro blind sport has been an organisation for a very long time creating opportunities for blind and partially sighted people while breaking down barriers that can often prevent participation in sports and physical activity.

Metro Blind Sport was founded many years ago by a group of friends who sat in a pub and they felt there were not enough sporting opportunities for blind and partially sighted individuals and they each threw in a tenner and started Metro Blind Sport and that's how it started to create opportunities and overcome barriers. Still to this day, Metro Blind Sport’s mission remains the same centred around accessible sporting opportunities for the blind and partially sighted people of all ages. 

However Fran and Rory spoke about how the charities work is far beyond just sports Metro Blind Spool recognise and understand that isolation/loneliness can be major challenges for blind and partly sighted people  while physical activity remains a key focus for Metro Blind Sports, they also create opportunities for people to socialize build,friendship and become part of a supportive community by bringing together people through their shared experiences and common interests they have a program called LIHI which expands to low intensity high impact, which explores opportunities around London that shy away from organised sports opportunity that still keeps you active and helps you socialize Metro Blind Sport believe that it can help improve both physical and mental well-being increased confidence improve m independence and a stronger social connections are all outcomes that Metro Blind Sport hope participants will experience through involvements in there programs.

Image credit to Nailah Gajia

Image description: a person wearing a blue t-shirt jumping mid air onto sand with a group of people wearing red standing behind her

Throughout the years, Metro Blind Sports offer a wide range of opportunities designed specifically for blind and partially sighted individuals. During the winter months on a Tuesday there are partially sighted football and goalball all year round blind tennis on Wednesdays every other week. On Thursday afternoon they have blind and partially sighted bowls and on Fridays they have partially sighted tennis, during the summer season from April to September they have cricket.

The charity also works closely with schools to identify visually impaired students and encourage greater participation in physical activity for younger ages Fran Spoke about how the impact of sport can be transformational.

Participation helps reduce isolation improve health, increase confidence and build independence for so many individuals simply become a part of a sporting community can have a significant effect on overall wellbeing the friendships that are formed through participations are often one of the most valuable aspects on of involvement being surrounded by people who share similar experiences create a sense or belonging and that helps many participants who may have not felt that previously or encountered that before.

Fran and Rory explained how becoming active often creates an improvement in wellbeing and can increase motivation to remain physically active while greater independence can encourage people to engage more confidently with opportunities outside of sports those benefits were clearly visible throughout the Metro Games.

Image Credits to Nailah Gajia 

Image description: a person doing javelin standing on the red track floor throwing a long javelin onto green grass.

The event itself provides one of the most important opportunities available for blind and partially sighted athletes in the country Rory shared how it's the only track and field event in the country for blind and visually impaired athletes. 

For some athletes the Metro Games can be their first time trying track and field or it can be a time they've tried before and they want to improve their goals or they could be working towards going into the Paralympics. This event featured an immersive variety of athletes. Athletes competed in shot put, discus, javelin, high jump, long jump, standing long jump,  triple long jump alongside track events including 60 meters,100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5,000 meters and a relay race all categories were carefully organized across age groups and genders.

However, while the sporting action was amazing, one of the most memorable aspects of the day was the atmosphere surrounding it. From the moment that event began at Mile End Stadium it was filled with energy, laughter and smiles every race seemed to be accompanied by applause, chairs and words of encouragement. Athletes celebrated each other's families, proudly supported competitors from the sideline, while volunteers worked hard to ensure everyone enjoyed a positive experience. 

The atmosphere was loud, joyful and so positive there was a genuine sense that every  participant wanted everyone to succeed when crossing the finish line isn't only about an achievement it's about them overcoming personal challenges, stepping outside their comfort zone and proving to themselves that they are capable of whatever.

One particularly amazing view throughout the day was the relationships between the athletes and the guide runners. Guide runners play an essential role within visually impaired athletics working closely alongside blind athletes, they provide communication directions and reassurance throughout the race. To work with a blind runner they require: trust, teamwork and an understanding where both athlete and guide runners work together towards a shared goal.

As athletes finish their races as they walk  off the track and back to the stands alongside their glide runners, sharing smiles, celebrations and moments of relief after completing an amazing achievement these pairs represent one of the strongest examples of teamwork visible throughout the day.

The contribution of officials, guide runners, event staff and volunteers all played a vital role in ensuring the Metro Games could take  place successfully. Their support created an environment where athletes could focus on performance while knowing assistance was always available when needed.

Beyond the athletics and the sports itself the Metro Games also highlight a key importance of community. Throughout the day people were introducing themselves, sharing stories, discussing opportunities and just having a laugh with one another. You would never see a person sitting on their own as everyone sat together. Athletes who had never met before quickly found common ground through shared experiences.

Fran shared how the event wasn't only about the sporting and that this was a key way to network it was one of the most valuable outcomes of the event.

Many people leave the Metro Games having discovered new sports, new opportunities and new friendships. What begins as a single day of competition often becomes a starting point of a much longer journey within sports and physical activity.

One of the sweetest bits of the event was how there was a dedicated area for guide dogs, which became another welcoming social space throughout the day: athletes, volunteers and supporters regularly gathered there between events  to have a laugh and a chat contributing further to the inclusive atmosphere that define the Metro Games.

One of the most powerful moments of the day was the absence of isolation. Isolation is something many blind and partially sighted people face very often. While many participants had never met at all and had different levels of sports, nobody was ever alone whether talking with a fellow competitor, celebrating achievements with family members or sharing experiences with volunteers and guide runners. Everyone seemed connected by shared sense and purpose of belonging, it was like everyone had spoken before. The sense of community reflects on a wider range of the mission of Metro Blind Sports.

Image Credits to Nailah Gajia 

Image description: a red track showing a far up view of a person in blue running with a very blue sunny background 

Although sporting achievements remain important, the organization aims to create a healthier, happier and more connected life for blind and partially sighted people. Challenges still exist accessibility, awareness, travel and confidence can be a major barrier for participation and many individuals may not realize opportunities exist or may feel uncertain about taking the first step. Metro Blind Sport continues to address those challenges by doing activities supporting participation and encouraging greater awareness with accessible opportunities.

Looking towards the future, Fran and Rory explained that the organization hopes to continue growing itself with memberships and expanding opportunities across a wider range of sports and activities. The goal is simple, to give blind and partially sighted people the chance to become active, improve their wellbeing, increase their independence and discover a supportive community.

 For those looking to get involved you don't have to only be an athlete, you can want to be a volunteer or guide runner and the organization is looking to support you, just go into their website and complete the membership form, if you need to support you can always call or email Fran and Rory and they are always there to support you.

As the final events came to an end, participants reflected on another successful Metro Games and they can't wait for the next one next year. It needs to come fast and one thing that stays clear is everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in sport.

At the Metro Games, accessible sport wasn't only spoken about, it was demonstrated throughout the whole day through every race, every field, event, every conversation and every celebration more than just a sporting conversation. The Metro Games showcase the power of inclusion, friendship and opportunity for everyone who attended. It was a reminder that when barriers are removed and communities come together, sport has the ability to change lives and support anyone for physical and mental wellbeing

Article Written by Nailah Gajia