One of the great things about coming to RNC is the opportunity it provides for making new friends, developing your social confidence and having new experiences that support your personal development outside the classroom.
We offer all students the opportunity to participate in fun and social, physical activities. Whether you want to have a kick around with friends, try a new sport, meet new people or improve your fitness, there is something here for you.
You can play sports outside of College time or during your timetabled Learning and Leisure sessions. Listed below are some of the sports you can take part in. This is not a complete list of what RNC can offer. If there is a particular sport that you would like to play, speak to our Sports Academy team and they will try their best to help support you to make arrangements and get other students involved.
Just some of the sporting activities available
Acoustic Shooting
Acoustic shooting is an adapted sport that allows V.I. athletes to shoot target rifles using sound instead of sight. Competitors wear headphones that play an audio tone and the closer their aim gets to the centre of the target, the higher and clearer the tone becomes.
Blind Football
Blind Football is based on traditional 5-a-side Futsal but the pitch is surrounded by boards and the ball contains ball bearings to allow players to locate it by sound.
Cricket
Cricket is hugely popular at the College and provides a brilliant opportunity for students who are visually impaired to play alongside (and against) their visually impaired peers. The College cricket team, RNC Bulldogs, plays in the UK Blind Cricket Development League.
Goalball
Goalball is one of the only sports with no sighted version. It was originally developed as rehabilitation for visually impaired World War II veterans. The game is played by two teams of three players, male and female. All players wear eyeshades and the ball contains bells to help players locate it. The object of the game is to score by bowling the ball along the floor, crossing the goal line of the other team.
Gym
Our state-of-the-art student gym is fully equipped with Matrix fitness equipment, which is industry standard and commonly found in commercial gyms. The space is inclusive for visually impaired students and machines feature Braille labels and QR codes that provide additional information and guidance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gym-goer, you’ll find everything you need for a complete workout. Cardiovascular equipment includes: Treadmill Rower Cross Trainer Recumbent Bike Climb Mill
Resistance and strength training equipment includes: Dual-function resistance machines (2-in-1 movements) Versatile cable column (over 50 exercise options) Pull-up bars Power rack for Olympic lifts Dedicated weightlifting platform Dumbbells up to 40kg Strongman equipment range All students can access the gym after completing an induction, and we especially encourage those new to gym environments to give it a try. Our experienced gym staff can support students with conditions such as spinal anomalies, hip alignment issues, and scoliosis. Once students feel confident and proficient, they have the option to transfer to the commercial gym if they wish. Please check with the gym for opening times.
Tandem cycling
Tandem cycling is open to all students no matter what your experience level or ability.
Tennis
We have worked alongside the Lawn Tennis Association and the Open Court Disability Tennis Participation program to develop tennis opportunities for our students. This has included staff and students attending the Inclusive Tennis Training course and working with LTA coaches to ensure we are providing inclusive Tennis sessions that meet the needs of our students. VI Tennis is played similarly to mainstream Tennis, but adaptions are made in terms of court size, number of bounces permitted (depending on eyesight classification) and the ball used is audible allowing players to track its location. Tennis can be played recreationally and alongside involvement in other sports academy programmes. We deliver sessions purely for our students for enjoyment, to improve skill level and to remain active but also host events such as the NATSPEC Games which provides opportunity for competition against other NATSPEC college members.
