‘UK Deaf Sport, British Blind Sport and Sport Birmingham Young Leaders gathered at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford from the 12th-14th of April for the See My Voice 2022 Residential Camp. This was a three-day event with a mix of sports and educational activities building up to a final assessment.
Goalball, tennis, boccia, seated volleyball, and baseball were among the games available, all of which created an inclusive atmosphere for those with impairments. “I loved the large range of sports that we performed,” one Young Leader said, “and my favourite part was the circular exercises.” Another said, “My favourite part was the rotational activities.”
The Young Leaders also attended workshops to strengthen their leadership skills and learn how to deliver a session effectively. Goalball UK provided a goalball workshop, while the ECB provided cricket workshops. Both covered the fundamentals of correctly arranging a session and ensuring that coaches give safe and engaging sports! The Young Leaders learned a number of fundamental skills that they can use in sports and in everyday life as a result of these workshops.
The Young Leaders had the opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned and deliver their own sessions on the final day of the residential. They collaborated in groups to create a 15-minute activity that was both entertaining and responsive to the requirements of the participants. Each Young Leader did an excellent job, and it was inspiring to see how much thought and care went into delivering a session.
The residential was a big success in terms of instilling confidence in the Young Leaders, allowing them to meet new people, participate in a variety of activities, and increase their understanding of sport and coaching. The Young Leaders performed admirably. They collaborated nicely and had a lot of fun doing it!’
