Opening Doors to Sport

METRO

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Metro Newsletter Issue 63February 2017

Metro would always advise to phone or email the event contacts to confirm there have been no last-minute changes or cancellations.

Welcome to all our Metro Members, Partners and Friends!

We have yet another event-filled month for our members and friends. More Skiing at Snowzone, this time with BBS, Cricket at Lords continues, if your thinking of trying Blind Cricket don't miss out on that! and new Climbing sessions with Sense start at 'The Castle'.

We also have the Metro Tennis Doubles Tournamenton Sun 5th Feb and hopefully in March High Ropes with "Out in the City", alongside our partners and colleagues at ELVis.

In April, we are excited to be a part of the London Marathon, read an excerpt from Andy Howards latest Marathon and in May we have some White Water rafting in the pipeline. How's that as a starter for 10!

Membership/Database system

“As many of you may be aware that Liam O’Carroll, a Metro member who works for TPT, has been contacting many of you to update your details on our database to ensure that we have your correct email address and contact details. It has been bought to our attention that some of you have not been receiving our newsflashes and the 2 newsletters per month.
This was maybe due to a change of email address or your details not being updated correctly. Liam has successfully contacted 200 of our members with over a third more to do to complete this existing task. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Roy Smith, Sports Development Director”

1. Football News and Events

Mark Russell receiving a Voluntary Commitment Award!

Congratulations to Mark a Metro Blind Sport trustee and keen footballer. Mark helped start and continues to run London Metro FC with sports lead Gareth Jones. The Canary Wharf Group informed us that Mark Russell has been selected to receive a Voluntary Commitment Award at this year’s Canary Wharf Sports Awards on Thursday 2nd February 2017.

Tournament PSFL 3 results

London Metro Football club A team - Win 3 out of 4 matches!

The Next PSFL tournament 4 is on the 4 Feb 2017, 12.00am - 17.00pm in Swindon, Unit 29 Bramble Rd, Kembrey Park, Swindon, SN2 8HB.

If you would like to watch the games and support

Contact: Email:

PSFL RESULTS T3 - Division One

LOUGHBOROUGH 4 3 BIRMINGHAM

NW SCORPIONS 0 3 LONDON A

SW ROVERS 0 9 BIRMINGHAM

NW SCORPIONS 6 2 LOUGHBOROUGH

LONDON A 2 0 SW ROVERS

BIRMINGHAM 3 0 NW SCORPIONS

LOUGHBOROUGH 4 6 LONDON A

SW ROVERS 0 3 NW SCORPIONS

BIRMINGHAM 5 3 LONDON A

LOUGHBOROUGH 4 3 SW ROVERS

RESULTS T3 - Division Two

LONDON 1 2 RNC

NW SCORPIONS 3 1 WINSFORD

LONDON B 2 9 NW SCORPIONS

WINSFORD 9 1 RNC

LONDON B 1 5 WINSFORD

NW SCORPIONS 2 2 RNC

FA talent days for 2017

Please note that although they are called talent days, they are taster sessions for anyone – no experience required.

FA London Talent days - London

Brentford, TW7 5DB Date:12.02.17 Brentford FC

New Eltham, SE9 2JR Date:18.02.17 Charlton Athletic

Harrow, HA1 3E Date:19.02.17 QPR

Beckton, E6 5NX Date: 25.02.17 West Ham

For all the above events please Contact:

London Metro Futsal Club Training on 18th Feb!

With the new season well underway, do you want to learn how to play partially sighted futsal? Why not get the ball rolling and try an LMFC training session?

Date:18 Feb 2017 Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm

Venue: The SCORE, Oliver Road, Leyton Contact:

Email:

2. Tennis News and Events

Metro Blind Sport Doubles Tennis Tournament

We are looking forward to seeing all our tennis player competing for trophy's in this year's Ladies & Men’s Club Doubles Tournament. A huge thanks in advance of the day to all our volunteers, especially High Gate Tennis Club, without you this competition would not be possible.

We have 26 entries confirmed, umpires from ABTO alongside a small team of volunteers plus winners trophies kindly provided by Julie and Steve Pilcher! To read the full Event information please go our event page on our website

Date: Sunday 5^th Feb 2017 Time: 10 – 6pm

Venue: Islington Tennis Centre (ITC),Market road, London, N7 9PL

REGIONAL TENNIS

The First regional VI tennis competition this year is on the 18 Feb inLoughborough Fantastic to hear there are 28 Entries already!

Blind Tennis Session – Islington Tennis Centre

Date: 3rd Feb 2017 Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Venue: Islington Tennis Centre (ITC), Market Road, London, N7 9PL.

Cost: First session FREE for new players, £4 for Members or £8 Non-Members

Contact:

NTC – Vision Impaired Tennis – 7 Feb!

Venue: National Tennis Centre (NTC), 100 Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JQ

Date: 7th Feb 2017 Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Cost: £4 per session

Contact: call 07961 267 942

Tennis Taster Sessions - SELVis - Bromley - 2017!

All blind and partially sighted residents of South East London welcome. Come and try out this fun and very popular sport for blind and partially sighted people. Please do wear suitable clothing - shorts/track suit and trainers, a meet and greet service is available on request.

Dates: Sundays - 26th February, 12th March 2017

Venue: Bromley Tennis Centre, Avebury Road, Orpington BR6 9SA

Time: 1pm to 3pm. Cost: £4 Contact: Tom De Frates Email

Latest VI Tennis Guide:

Download Here: word version

Support Blind Tennis - How to get involved!

We are so grateful for all our volunteers who help us each year, either during the week and/or at events/competitions. If you would like to join in with our long term volunteers, you can take a look at our role description for Tennis Volunteers. Download Here: word version

Check out Metro's next Tennis Events Here: Tennis Events

3. Athletics

Latest London Marathon Blog from Andy Howard!

Hello Metro Blind Sport Readers.

Just a quick update on my preparation for this year’s London Marathon, after all my eating and drinking over the Christmas and New Year, January has been full steam ahead with my training plan.

I have been spending lots of time at the Gym, which feels like my second home at the moment. Attending lots of Group cycle classes, swimming and running on the treadmill, alongside the odd outside run. This time of year is really hard to get long runs in what with the cold and icy mornings, and the sun being so low in the sky, just walking around at the moment is really hard going, not being able to see much being affected by glare due to the angle of the sun at this time of year.

My vision is getting worse. And running is making me feel worried and tense, which really isn’t helping with my composure when running. So I am not only having to take on a challenge of running a Marathon, but also having to deal with increasing sight loss and fear of bumping into something or someone when training. I am really enjoying the Spin classes, for those who are not sure what Spin Classes are, it is a room set up with static bikes, whilst exercising to really loud music. Group Cycle classes are great for Blind and Partially sighted people because it is done on the spot, not having to move around the room with lots of other people keeps me out of trouble. The idea is to keep going for a full 45 minutes, whilst moving from seated to standing positions and changing the tempo of peddling.

If you get a good instructor, they will get the class to involve themselves with encouraging each other to keep going and try your best, and make big efforts. I attend two spin morning classes at 7am, a great way to blow out the cobwebs and get me set up for the day, would really recommend this for those who like to lose weight and build up their leg muscles.

It is a low-impact exercise, so you shouldn’t create too much jarring on knees or hips. I have got two Half Marathons set up for March, and hope to do a 21-mile run at the end of the same month. The first Half Marathon is in Victoria Park in Hackney on the 4th, and the second in on the 12th in Dartford, so I am really excited about the runs which will offer good preparation for April 24th. And the big day.

That’s me for now, take care and don’t forget to support Metro with a donation, small or large , every little helps - Andy Howard.

Support Andy and Metro:

Donate here:

Mararthon Blog:

Athletics Open 2017

We would like to thank our new supporters for this year’s Athletics event in June, the Carmen Butler-Charteris Charitable Trust and CGI, both enabling more people with sight loss to experience Track and Field Athletics.

Date: Saturday 17th June 2016

Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm - TBC

Venue: Mile End Stadium, Rhodeswell Road, London, E14 7TW, Tower Hamlets, East London, incorporating a Festival of Athletics for vision impaired people, their families and friends.

4. Cricket News and Events!

Three Metro Blind Sport members selected in the England Squad v India - World Cup series 2017

Congratulations to all the Metro members, Gareth Jones for his first call-up and also to Matt Dean and Matt Page for being selected again to represent England in 2017! We wish the whole squad good fortune and some cracking matches! For the full team list and India series fixtures go to the news story here on our website.

Try Cricket at Lords with Metro - 11 Feb!

FREE Nets sessions coaching on all key elements of the game – batting, bowling and fielding, by qualified coaches, tailored to suit both beginners and those with more experience. We welcome all VI cricketers, juniors and non-Metro members.

Keep the following dates in your diary!

When:11th Feb Time: 2-4pm, 11th Mar Time: 2-4pm, 8th Apr Time: 5-7pm

Where: Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW8 8QN

Cost: FREE (to all people living with sight loss, resident within the M25)

Contact: Rory Field Tel. 07742 323224 or email

Meeting point is at St Johns Wood Tube Station ticket barrier, either 1.15pm for 2.00pm start or 4.15pm for 5.00pm start.

5. Ice Skating Taster Sessions - 22 Feb & 1 March

We invite you come down and get used to the layout, the smells, the feel of the ice, the coolness and the acoustics of the centre.

Taster Dates: 22 Feb, 1st March Time: 12.00pm -1.00pm

Venue: Sobell leisure Centre, Hornsey Rd, London, N7 7NY

Cost: FREE

Google maps

How to book: If you would like more information about these sessions, please contact: or call 020 7014 9365(Tues, Wed and Thurs)

From a Tube Station: The Sobell Leisure Centre is within fairly easy walking distance if you know the area of either Holloway Road tube station on the Piccadilly line or Arsenal tube station also on the Piccadilly line.

By Bus: these are the main routes on Tollington Road (the road which the centre is on): 4, 29, 153, 253, 254, 259. The 91 goes from Hornsey Road which is also the road the centre is on.

6. Skiing

Following on from our successful skiing event at Snozone, thanks to Josh and Stephen - Snozone Coaches, ELVis and all their volunteers for help, don't forget about BBS Skiing opportunities also at Snozone MK in April see below...

BBS: First ever Skiing and Snowboarding Taster Day!

British Blind Sport have an exciting announcement for 2017, working in partnership with Snozone Disability Snowsports and Visually Impaired Children Take Action (VICTA), BBS are delighted to bring to you its first ever skiing and snowboarding taster day!

Venue: Snozone, Milton Keynes, 602 Marlborough Gate, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS

Date: 1st April 2017 Time: 9.00am - 18.00pm

Cost: 1 to 1 skiing or snowboarding session - £15.00 of which £10.00 will be reimbursed to you on completion. Sledging - £5 for 45 minutes Sledging. Skiing/snowboarding passes – price to be confirmed.

Contact: Call: 01926 424247 or email

7. Cycling

Cycling with Pedal Power 4 Feb!

Free cycling fun on the basketball courts every other Saturday rain or shine, so check the weather and come prepared for FUN!

Date: Sat 4th Feb Time: 12:00 – 16:00

Venue: Finsbury Park, London N4, UK

Map:

Copy to my calendar:

Para-cycling Open Riding - East London Velodrome Stratford!

Dates: Monday 27 Feb, 27 March 2017 Time: 10am

Cost: Two hours £16 Booking link:

Minimum height 4ft 9 ins / 145cm Minimum age 12

This session is for riders with disabilities and offers the chance to ride the track at this fantastic London 2012 venue. With experienced pilots and using tandem bikes you’ll learn the basics of riding fixed wheel bikes safely.

Shout Out! If you have or know of any unused tandems, please Email:r call on H/W: 020 8255 7788 or M: 07803 28808

8. Climbing at the Castle starting 14th Feb with Sense!

Centre orientation - 7^th of Feb at 11-12pm, there will be no climbing on this day but we invite you to come down and get used to the layout, the smells and the acoustics of the centre.

Set 1 – Tuesdays Time:11:00-12:00

Dates: 14th, 21st, 28th February, 7th, 14th, 21st March

Set 2 – Wednesdays Time: 10:00-11:00

Dates: 29th Mar, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 3rd May

Additional information to note:

Please arrive to sessions at least 15mins early to get changed and complete any necessary paperwork.

Onsite café open from 12pm, Please wear lose and comfortable clothing, preferable long sleeve.
Please bring a bottle of water with you,Accessible toilets are available

Venue: The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, London N4 2HA Cost: FREE

How to book:

Attendance is strictly through booking only. If you would like more information, do please contact:

or tel. 020 7014 9318 (Tues, Wed and Thurs)

9. Swimming News