"I still love the buzz of a match - even though I can't see now. I follow every kick through my headphones. It's brilliant, and the adrenaline rush when we score is still the same!"
Audio description user
For a dedicated sports fan, there's nothing quite like attending a match. Coverage of events or matches on the TV can never quite provide that stadium experience. The atmosphere in the ground, the reception given to the players as they appear, the ripple of the net as the ball goes in for a goal or the sound of willow striking leather. There's nothing quite like saying, "I was there". All of this can be enhanced by commentary.
Cricket
Blind and partially sighted spectators at the famous home of cricket, Lord's Cricket Ground, are able to follow every ball bowled and every boundary scored through the dedicated 'Ball by Ball' commentary service at the ground. Lord's provides commentary on every international match, Middlesex county games, and the majority of minor fixtures at the ground.
Alan Whetherley, partially sighted commentary listener, said "listening to the new commentary system at Lords was as good as listening to Test Match Special. The sound was amazing and the commentators really brought the game to life."
Commentator, Richard Leslie said "I am delighted to be participating in the RNIB's ball-by-ball initiative with the MCC. We hope that this will this bring a huge amount of pleasure to people who would otherwise not be able to enjoy a day at the cricket."
Read more about the Ball by Ball commentary service on the Lord's website.
Football
Commentary is provided at many of the professional league clubs as well as some non-league. Information regarding facilities provided at each football club, for home and away fans, is available from Level Playing Field.
RNIB, through our Soccer Sight project, was instrumental in helping to set up many football clubs with an audio described commentary service.
Rugby
There are a number of rugby league and rugby union clubs who provide some commentary of matches. Information regarding facilities provided at clubs is available from Level Playing Field.
Equipment
Access Audio has designed equipment specifically for the purpose of broadcasting description to blind and partially sighted people attending public events. The RAD system offers a superb level of reception utilising radio signals.
The transmitter has the facility to accept two commentators each with their own microphone head set. The receivers are lightweight radios with earpieces and disposable batteries. There is no limit to the number of receivers each transmitter can accommodate.
Contact Access Audio by emailing webinfo@accessaudio.co.uk or calling 0131 663 0777.
Audio description on TV
Are you an armchair sports fan? Make sure you know how to get audio description on your TV!