VI Touch Rugby
It is an adapted, non-contact format designed so people with sight loss can experience the teamwork, movement, and belonging that rugby creates in this 45-minute taster session.
VI Football
An adapted version of football for players who are blind or partially sighted. The ball contains a noise-making device so players can track it by sound, and athletes rely on verbal cues from teammates and guides around the pitch. The sport emphasizes communication, spatial awareness, and teamwork while making football accessible and inclusive for visually impaired players
VI Tennis
Our day also includes VI tennis coached by the marvellous Mark Bullock, an inclusive sports development coach of over 20 years. VI Tennis is an adapted form of tennis for players who are blind or partially sighted. It uses an audible ball that rattles so players can track it by sound, and the ball is allowed to bounce up to three times depending on the player’s vision category. The sport follows similar rules to regular tennis while making the game accessible and inclusive for visually impaired athletes.
Showdown
The game is played on a specially designed table by two players from opposing sides using flat, paddle-type bats. The aim of the game is to bat the ball off the side wall, along the table, under the centre screen, and into the opponent’s goal. Sound produced by the bee bees rolling around inside the ball indicates the location of the ball during the play.
Blind Baseball
Uses sound and visual cues to make the game of baseball accessible for blind and partially sighted players. The sport can also include sighted players. The second and third base when batting (the clappers), and when fielding at a second base (the catcher). The remaining five players wear eyeshades. Running after hitting the ball trying to reach the bases gives you full freedom of running independently with the help of an audio bleeper. The ball is struck from the player’s hand, and there is a sound-based base at Base One to assist with orientation. When the fielders are in the field and retrieve the ball, they receive verbal guidance from the catcher positioned at second base. The catcher calls out the number “two” to help orientate the fielder, who then throws the ball in the direction of the catcher in order to run the batter out. In addition, umpires cover all the bases to ensure that safety is paramount. The game is played on an open field that is non-hazardous.