METRO
Opening doors to sport
Metrozine Issue 50 January 2016
Dear Readers, Welcome to Issue 50 and a Happy New Year to you all!
We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season and are looking forward to an active, fun and sport filled New Year.
It was great catching up at the AGM and listening to the many different ideas and suggestions you all have, if you think of more, please remember our contact form is only ever a click away Contact Form .
Some of the feedback we received was that the newsletter is a little too long, Ian and I really do listen! so from this issue going forward we will only have a maximum of 24 articles, while keeping the popular upcoming Events list at the end.
We hope you will enjoy this issue of your newsletter.
1. Metro AGM and Award Winners list 2015
This year’s AGM followed the Agenda to the letter and all the official business of the evenings was shared quickly and professionally by Amanda and Steve. Amit Amin stepped down as a Trustee this year and we thank him for all his help over the last three years.
We are happy to inform all that the new trustees, Jo Turnbull, Mark Russell, Andy Law and Monica Smith, where voted in on mass and that Metro now has eight Trustees, with Amanda Green Chair, Martin Dean, Steve Garbutt Treasurer and Deborah Brown Secretary all retaining their previous roles for 2016.
This year’s Metro Members Awards was changed to a one vote per person format, which speeds up the process, but makes it a harder choice for those voting. Charles Ronayne, futsal goalkeeper and match reporter, see a twitter video of Charles posted by Matt Leverington, was pipped at the post for 'Metro Sports Man of the year' by one vote!! congratulations to the winner Matt Page.
I wish you and all Nominees better luck next year. Thank you to all the members, who took the time to nominate their peers and to all members who attended the AGM this year.
Congratulations to all the Metro Awards winners.
* Jo Turnbull - Sports Woman of the year
* Matt Page - Sports Man of the year
* Odette Battarel - Volunteer/coach of the year
* Eric Gallacher - Best Achievement of the year
Mo Brace and David Griffiths both got honorary awards for their years of outstanding service, Mo for being Membership secretary and organising many popular social events and so much more for our members since the very start of Metro!
David for his years of cricket umpiring, help at the Metro Games and of course his famous AGM quizzes, which this year I had the good fortune to enjoy with a table of far more knowledgeable companions then myself.
2. Metro Sports Highs for 2015!
Archery – Lead: Fred Carpenter. Another great year for all our Archers, since Metro began at the Aspires Centre in 2013 target lengths have doubled from 10 to 20 metres as everyone’s skills have improved. Congratulations to Andrea Thomas who recently competed at the annual BBS National Archery Competition, coming third in her event, a fantastic result!
Athletics – Park-runs are proving popular this year as a way to get involved and keep fit, not only are they local but they also help find guide runners, how good is that! In June the annual Games were once again a huge success with over 80 participants from 8-80! This is all good preparation for our '40th Anniversary Games' next year Sat 25th June.
Read our 2016 London Marathon Runner Andy Howard's latest Blog update on our website
Bowls – Lead: Eric Gallacher. Not only have our bowlers travelled the length and breadth of the UK this year, winning more trophies and medals, they have also played a pivotal role in developing the VI game in London. From advising and coaching corporate supporters at ‘Lloyds of London’ to working closely with WBBC Walthamstow Borough Bowls Club in E. London and SELVis South East London Vision to increase regular playing opportunities in new areas of the capital, their enthusiasm, energy and commitment has been amazing. Not to mention raising significant funds at four mainline station collections throughout the season! This support will help to ensure more places to play, greater awareness of the game and how existing clubs can integrate and better include their local communities. A huge thanks to you all.
Cricket – Lead: Rory Field. Both our teams performed well again this season with several notable individual performances. Metro came third in the BCEW National Development League and earned their place in the Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup Final by beating Yorkshire VICC. Metro Devils finished fifth in the BCEW ‘South and West’ Development League, although points wise they were close to coming in the top three.
A very long list of Metro finalistswas put forward by BCEW, the eventual winners were Lois Turner – Ladies Cricketer of the Year and the team award went to Metro – for the Spirit of Cricket Award. Three of our members were also inducted into the BCEW ‘Hall of Fame’, they are: David Townley, Bryn Reynolds and Adam Benjamin. Next year’s pre-season training will again get underway with sessions at Lords Nets, the perfect place to try out Blind Cricket.
Football – Lead: Gareth Jones. With two teams competing again this season, hopes are high for more success in the PSFL Partially Sighted Futsal League. London – Metro A and B have started solidly as we reach the half way point in the tournament calendar. Seizing an opportunity to attend the season opener in Sheffield demonstrates again all the player’s commitment to perform and be competitive at this fast paced game.
Fitness is as much an asset in this game as skill, all the hard work both teams put in pre-season really pays off as the tournaments begin. With regular updates from the PSFL uploaded onto the Metro website you can now follow all the results, high and lows, thorough-out the season.
Sailing – The Members Only offer to take part in a week of sailing in the Solent went to Debbie Impaizzi and Stephen Pat. I think it’s fair to say that both had an amazing time learning new skills, meeting new people and having the opportunity to take control of a yacht under both sail and power. Read all about their experience of life at sea below: Quick link #Sailing here
Swimming – After dipping our toes in the water and trialling coached swimming sessions at Clapham Leisure Centre in October, the feedback from participants outlined how well this was received. After meeting with the ASA Amateur Swimming Association and local partners we hope to replicate this approach and bring 3 more Coached swimming days across London in 2016. Keep a look out for updates in the New Year.
Tennis – Lead: Odette Battarel. With Blind Tennis participation growing around the UK and more opportunities to play in tournaments, 2015 was another bumper year for Metro members. Our very own sport lead/player /coach Odette Battarel won ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the inaugural National Awards.
A long list of Metro members also tasted success at the National Championships, including Brenda Cassell – B2/B3 Ladies Champion, Jan Reynolds - B4 Ladies Champion, Odette Battarel / Amanda Green - B2/B3/B4 Ladies Doubles Champions, Matt Page - B2 Men’s Champion, Paul Ryb – B3/B4 Men’s Champion and B1 Doubles Champions - Chris Jefferies/Nikhil Nair. Next year sees the introduction of more regional tournaments, another sign of how fast the sport is growing! On the international scene, Chair of Trustees Amanda Green has been elected Vice President of IBTA International Blind Tennis Association which provides international support and governance for the sport.
Article by Amanda Green and Ian Francis
3. Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis Tournament Series 2016
This series consists of 5 regional tournaments in London, Birmingham, Northumberland, York & Cambridge. There will also be the National Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis Championships at the end of the year which we are again hoping to hold at the NTC in Roehampton date TBC but at the moment is pencilled in 22 – 23 Oct 2016.
In order to enter the Nationals, all players will need to compete in one or more regional tournament in 2016. The results for each regional tournament will be taken into account when doing the seeding’s for the nationals.
Entries details: Please read the article by Kirsty Thomson on our website
4. METRO TENNIS CLUB TOURNAMENT
Another date for our tennis players to add their 2016 calendar
Open to current Metro members only
Date: Sunday 21st February 2016 Time:13:00-19:00
Venue: Islington Tennis Centre
Entry Forms available from Roy Smith in the new year
Contact:Roy Smith - Tel. 020 8090 9271
5. Metro Bowlers AGM - RNIB - 14th Jan 2016
A big hello to all your Metro Bowlers out there,
As usual Eric has booked room 2/3, at the RNIB- Judd Street on the 14th Jan starting a 6pm.Sharon, from the Boot, is expecting members around 7pm for a meal and a drink. Eric would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy new year, and hopes to see as many of you as possible on the 14th.
To read the Metro Bowlers AGM agenda !
Contact: Email
6. Cricket Lords Nets Sessions 2016!
If you interested in trying out Blind Cricket, then the Lords Cricket Nets is an ideal opportunity!
Is there a better location in the UK to try it out! There is no doubt you will be learning from some talented cricketers and you will be in good company as the Metro Cricket Team won the 'Spirit of Cricket Award' in 2015.
Dates in Feb, March, April 2016 - TBC
Contact: Email: to find out more.
7. London Metro Futsal Club Events in Jan 2016!
During 2015 both London Metro A and B teams have had amazing highs and a few lows in this year’s PSFL Tournaments! We wonder what the new year holds for them? All at Metro look forward to finding out!
Next Football Training
Date: 10th Jan 2016 Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm
Venue:The SCORE, Oliver Road, Leyton
PSFL Tournament 4
Date: 23rd Jan 2016 Time: 12.00 - 17.00pm
Venue: Birmingham @Futsal
For more information and to find out how you can get involved.
Contact:
8. First Archery Session of the Year - 10 Jan 2016!
Fancy yourself as Robin Hood or an elven archer from Lord of the Rings? Here is your chance to start your year off with a Bullseye! Why not turn those imagined skills into real ones, with the help of Fred Carpenter Sport Lead and the Coaches at a Metro Monthly vision impaired Archery session in Wandsworth.
Date: 10th Jan 2016 Time:12 noon - 2.00pm
Venue: South Fields College Aspire Centre, Wandsworth
Contact: Email: Fred
or call 07743942062
Latest Archery news and dates
As visitors at Surrey County Indoor Championships. Andrea Thomas, a Metro member has recently won silver in her group and a gold, shooting in a team with Sandra from our club. Andrea will start in the Spelthorn Indoor Open on the 3rd of January and from all of us at Metro "May your arrows fly true!"
* National Indoor Championships at Lilleshall National Sports Centre on 16th April 2016. Metro members will be taking part!
* The European championships will take place from 3rd - 10th April 2016
9. Blind sailing week 2015 by Deborah Impiazzi!
Thank you Metro Blind Sport for giving me the opportunity to try sailing for the very first time. Sailing was a sport I had always wanted to try but never got the chance to do so, and I must admit I was really apprehensive as the date drew nearer.
Once I arrived at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club I was immediately put at ease and I can honestly say that was how it felt for the whole week. There were 7 crew on my boat in all, and three of us were visually impaired. The other two had sailed many times before, so I was the only absolute beginner.
There were 25 boats taking part in this adventure, divided into 4 fleets. There were 7 boats in our fleet and each fleet sailed to a different part of the Solent each day. Once we had all arrived, met our Skipper and Crew and settled into our boats, we then went to the welcome dinner at the RSYC. It gave us all a chance to meet up and find out the plans for the week.
After breakfast on board, which we did every morning, we set sail. It was good sailing weather, although it did rain once, and was quite chilly out on the water despite the heatwave that week. Luckily for me I did opt to hire the foul weather gear, which is a must I would say! However, the weather was amazing for the duration of the trip.
We ate on board for 2 nights. The food was provided by our skipper’s wife and Kate the 1st mate, both meals were delicious, as was every meal we had. We arrived at a different yacht club each evening where good clean showers were available and a good meal provided in the club house. Every night before we went to dinner each boat held a drinks party on the pontoon, this meant that a cocktail of all sorts of alcohol was poured in a bucket with fruit and lemonade!!! Soft drinks were also provided.
There was never a dull moment on board. You could do as much or as little as you desired, there was no pressure. I really enjoyed getting involved and wanted to learn more and still do. On my second day I took the helm and actually drove the boat, I learned how to tie knots, learned about tacking, jibing and had a great insight into life on the ocean wave. We went to ground one night whilst anchored at Poole harbour, which means the tide went out and the boat settled on the ground. It tilted on a 45-degree angle, which was interesting. I must admit I learned a new and important skill - to drink a glass of wine at 45 degrees!!!
I had such a great time on this trip. Sailing and learning to sail was amazing. The food and drink were plentiful and good. The weather was fantastic. But most important of all everyone who took part in VI sailing week was unbelievably helpful, kind and considerate. I would certainly recommend that if you get the chance to attend VI Sailing week, then take it!
Article by Deborah Impiazzi
10. Blind sailing week 2015 by Stephen Pat
A week of Sailing for the visually impaired, where VI are treated as very important people, not visually impaired passengers. The whole experience was so well organised and planned, I felt informed at every stage, from the initial communication which was clear and thorough. I did have some problems with the email application and medical forms, however this was just a program compatibility issue, which I have addressed with the organisers.
All the essential itinerary information was supplied and comprehensive such as arrival times, where to go on arrival and who to speak to. I felt at ease with all the administration stages and the Blind sailing week organisers are very thorough, ensuring all your dietary and medical needs are met or to the best of their ability. This was all done sensitively and in an empathetic manner and I felt if I had a specific need, I could talk to the organiser in confidence.
Saturday
Following the itinerary sent in an email. I travelled by train to Southampton Central and I took a taxi to Ocean Village, alternative forms of transport are available but a cab was the quickest and convenient. On arrival at Ocean Village. I presented myself to the volunteer organisers who contacted my crew for the week, I met Grant Morris our skipper and his first mate Dave Morgan. Grant had contacted me prior to the sailing week to introduce himself and forward useful information such as essential kit. And the plan for the week. We didn’t set sail on the Saturday as the focus was on settling everyone in, which was nice and easy start to the week,
Grant and Dave took me and my fellow VI crew member to our Yacht which is a Sweden 39Ft named Outreach. We were informed she was an excellent sailing boat and she looked and felt the part. Grant and Dave re-affirmed to us that we could do as much or as little as we wanted. However, I was not going to waste an opportunity like this to pass me by. We settled in and went through the do and don't s over tea and coffee. After our refreshments we got to explore and get familiar with the boat, all done in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.
That evening we had a welcoming Dinner at the Yacht club, which was a good opportunity to meet other crews and VI, I meet a lot of people that night, I found out that many crews and VI have been participating in Blind sailing week for many years and there was also a lot of new crew and VI. All the people I met were positive, encouraging, enthusiastic, kind and generous, the meal was excellent and atmosphere even better. It was a lovely easy start to the week. We got back to the Boat and settled in for the night.