We offer free membership to blind and partially sighted children and young people. Our aim is to encourage young people to become active in sports of all kinds. Some events are planned especially for under 18’s but young people can also join in many of the adult activities, for example our cricket and tennis games.
Most blind and partially sighted children and young people attend mainstream schools and colleges. This means that young people benefit from a challenging academic environment and the opportunity to mix with sighted friends. Unfortunately, however, blind and partially sighted young people are sometimes excluded from physical education and sporting activities, often because of safety fears.
We believe that participation in sport and recreation can build self-confidence and self-esteem as well as improving physical fitness and social integration. We want our younger members to enjoy taking part and the thrill of achieving success in fair and competitive sport.
Some young people may simply want to explore new sports while others may have ambitions to take part in national and international competitions like many of our senior Metro members. We want to help you to achieve your personal goals.
Metro engages professional trainers in order to ensure that our members have the best possible opportunities to develop their skills. Our sports organisers are also subject to DBS checks to ensure the protection of children.
Want to know more?
Should you know a young person who is interested in sport, or indeed, if you are one yourself, and would like to know more about the sports Metro is involved in, click on the separate sports links or visit our events page
The following organisations also provide ongoing opportunities for young people to be involved in sport:
VICTA:
If you are the parent of a child who is blind or partially sighted, or a young adult aged 29 or under who is visually impaired, VICTA is here to help. Why not explore our activities, services and grant programmes. If you are looking to support us, you can become a volunteer or join one of our fundraising events such as the London Marathon.
Website: https://www.victa.org.uk
STRiVE
Our current team of inspiring Young Ambassadors from VICTA have responsibility for the creation and production of our e-magazine ‘STRiVE’. STRiVE is a platform created to highlight personal challenges, endeavour and successes and to share information our ambassadors feel will empower others.
Link: https://www.victa.org.uk/our-services/strive/
Royal Society for Blind Children
At the Royal Society for Blind Children, we believe no child in the UK should grow up to be poor or lonely just because they are blind.
Website: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/
Disability Sports Coach, Community Clubs
Calling all 11-25 yr old disabled young people! starting next month in Southwark there is a fantastic opportunity to try out a wide range of sports including Boccia, Goalball, Sitting Volley Ball, and many others. To find out more please follow this link www.disabilitysportscoach.co.uk or read about venues and times on our News page.
Royal London Society for the Blind
Offer a calendar of events. For more info visit their website
Access to Sport
Hold a weekly athletics club in Hackney for eight to eighteen year olds. More info can be found at:
www.hackneyhurricanes.wordpress.com
They also hold an athletics club in Newham, details of which can be found at:
www.newhamandessexbeagles.co.uk
There is a youth hockey club for under eighteen disabled children and young people, and details can be found at: www.walthamforesthc.co.uk/flyerz.html
A social club is open to children and young people in Sutton and Merton on one Saturday of each month. A different activity takes place each month. Examples include: athletics, go carting, trips to Lego Land, and cookery sessions. For more info, please contact: Fran.Hibbert@mertonvision.org.uk
For details of recreational activities open to children and young people in Kingston, please contact: sblack@sa-vi.org.uk