How Judo is Helping Visually Impaired Students at RNC
The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), based in Hereford, is the UK’s leading specialist residential college of further education for young people (aged 16-25) with a visual impairment and includes judo as part of its sporting curriculum, providing weekly sessions for students.
The classes, led by Carol Leverton, Chair of the National Refereeing Commission, began in 2013 as part of the Paralympic Potential Programme. The original aim was to introduce the sessions as a talent ID opportunity, but due to strong attendance and the enjoyment students got from them, RNC worked with Carol to make judo a weekly feature and integrate it into the curriculum as one of the college’s three main sports, alongside blind football and goalball.
When judo was first introduced to the curriculum, RNC secured funding from the British Judo Association to attain floor and crash mats, enabling them to safely run sessions for their students.
All students at the college have the opportunity to express interest in attending judo sessions as part of their pre-entry assessment before arriving at RNC. The sessions are also promoted to all during the early weeks of term, and anyone interested can be timetabled in.
Coaching and supporting these sessions alongside Carol Leverton is former student turned coach, Kieran Clarke. Having joined the sessions during his time as a student, already with a background in the sport from his childhood, they quickly became an important part of his life.
Kieran lost his vision as a child due to a scarred cornea, but this never stopped him from becoming a committed and skilled athlete across multiple sports. He has practised judo for most of his life and also went on to represent the England Blind Football team.
After graduating, both the college and Carol offered Kieran a role at the Royal National College for the Blind, where he now teaches judo alongside his former coach.
To round out the team that helps make these sessions possible is Phil Whittall, a Cover Supervisor at RNC, who was identified as a staff member who could provide valuable support due to his background in martial arts. He offers one-to-one assistance to students, particularly those with complex needs and health challenges.
Phil’s dedication has been especially impactful for Logan, a participant with a life-challenging illness. Phil ensures Logan is fully included and enjoys every session, creating a welcoming and safe environment where he feels part of the class. His ongoing commitment helps make it possible for a diverse group of students to engage in the sport safely and confidently, enriching the overall experience for everyone involved.
Speaking about his involvement with the sessions, Kieran said: “I came to the college about five years ago when I was 19, and got involved with the judo pretty quickly because I had done it loads when I was young, on/off in my teenage years and was able to get involved in helping people, showing them some things and Carol offered and helped me to get my Level 1 coaching qualification.
“Coming back now as a staff member and working around the sports academy, supporting the judo, it’s not something I thought I would be doing when I first joined, so it’s a real pleasure to see all the guys progressing and helping them on their journeys as students.”
Speaking on the benefits that judo can have on people with visual impairments, he said: “If you can have the confidence to fall and learn how to fall effectively, then that can translate into life.
“I hate to get philosophical, but if you have a fall down in life, you have to get up, and I think that’s what judo represents in a very physical way.
“I used judo to deal with my sight loss. I got into judo very quickly after I lost my sight as a child, and it’s probably the number 1 reason that I was able to deal with that sight loss so quickly at such a young age.
“I’d recommend everyone to at least give it a go and see where it takes you.”
The college and its judo sessions are home to a wide range of judoka, from experienced Paralympic Potential team players like Rico Amediku to complete beginners such as Ana Vindberg.
Ana recently wrote an inspiring piece about her journey since joining the college in September, where she spoke about the benefits of judo for visually impaired people and how the sessions have helped her make friends and settle into life at RNC.
“When I started judo, I didn’t know people here very well, I didn’t know how to make good social connections because I was at home for a year before I came to college, so it was quite a different experience,” said first-year student Ana Vindberg.
“Judo definitely helped me talk to people and remember what it is like to work with people as a team, and it made me feel confident in myself as I was doing exercise, even if it is once a week.
“I’m staying active, and it keeps my mental health good as well.”
Their words are a powerful reminder of the positive impact this programme is having and a testament to the brilliant work being done by Carol, Kieran, Phil and everyone else within the Sports Academy that is involved in making Judo a key part of student life at the Royal National College for the Blind.
Judo offers clear benefits for people with visual impairments. Its tactile, close-contact style allows blind athletes to compete equally, while improving balance, coordination and spatial awareness.
Training builds strength, flexibility and core stability, while boosting cardiovascular fitness and reaction time. Judo also teaches safe falling and self-defence, supports social inclusion, and builds communication skills through touch.
It’s fantastic to see an institution like the Royal National College for the Blind and its Sports Academy fully embracing our incredible sport as part of its curriculum!
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