On Friday 28 April The FA's headquarters hosted the presentation ceremony for the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) Soccer Sight competition.
Soccer Sight is a project supported by Halifax Bank of Scotland and The Football Foundation designed to improve access to football for blind and partially sighted people.
The project is seeking to address the main issues that prevent blind and partially sighted people from enjoying football matches. One of the main issues is access to dedicated match day commentary and good commentary equipment.
Each winning entrant has undergone a comprehensive training programme with RNIB and the BBC at three regional sessions across the UK.
The presentation to the overall winning commentator Alan March, was made by Garth Crooks with the first prize being an opportunity to commentate live for BBCi on The FA Cup Final on 13 May.
Regional session winners were Mark Mitchell and Mike Whalley who will be able to shadow a commentator from the BBC Match of the Day team. The regional runners up, James Datson, Kevin Kelly and Ross Ellis all won a Pure Digital Radio.
Commentary is needed to improve access to football for thousands of blind and partially sighted supporters. It gives them the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game, in the stadium, as it happens.
Hazel Dudley, a blind season ticket holder with Liverpool FC said: “I watch games at clubs all around the country. My husband, who is also blind, does the same supporting Arsenal. We have no doubt that the standard of commentary for people with sight problems needs to improve.
"Currently standards are either non-existent, poor quality or biased in favour of the home club. Good commentary for blind supporters is long overdue. Having it would encourage more blind people to go to football matches."
New radio transmission equipment and headsets will be installed at the first seven clubs by September 2006. These clubs are:
Brighton and Hove Albion
Bristol City
Cardiff City
Doncaster Rovers
Halifax Town
Huddersfield Town
Swansea City
RNIB has already helped to establish commentary at all clubs in the Scottish Premier League. One of the winners from the Soccer Sight Scotland competition has now become a match reporter and summariser for BBC radio in Scotland.
If you are interested in commentating, please e-mail talkingimages@rnib.org.uk to express your interest for potential future training and opportunities.
