Matt Cliff
Matt is the Engagement Manager for the North West and is a former member of the Merseyside Sight Loss Council.
Matt has been visually impaired all of his life as his sight has continually deteriorated. As a visually impaired person, Matt has competed in many sports events ranging from local, grass-roots level games right up to the international stage. I was fortunate enough to be asked to represent England in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne back in 2006.
In 2009, with a VI friend, Matt set up SAVI Northwest which aims to increase opportunities for sports and activities for visually impaired people as sport and physical activity has had a profoundly positive impact on his life. As a Merseyside SLC member, Matt used his knowledge of VI sport to advocate for blind and partially sighted people to experience the social and physical benefits sport gave him.
Matt was very shy before participating in VI sport – he says you would not recognise him before he started competing! Matt is a proud father of three daughters and always strives to be an excellent role model to them.
Matt is now looking forward to leading the Merseyside SLC in future projects and campaigns to influence positive change for blind and partially sighted people in the North West.