ADC Training Academy

A photo of Alan March in Qatar 2021, holding a microphone with a red windshield in a soccer stadium.

ADC Master Trainer

Alan March leads our accredited ADC training program. His training credentials include:

  • FIFA World Cup 2022 
  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
  • FIFA Club World Cup 2023
  • FIFA Club World Cup 2025
  • 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro
  • 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympics Games in London
  • Commonwealth games
  • All UEFA finals.
  • English Premier League
  • The Championship
  • English Leagues 1 and 2
  • The Rugby World Cup 2015
  • NFL at Wembley UK
  • Motor Racing

Alan March is a pioneer in Audio Description Commentary (ADC) and one of the leading figures advancing accessibility in sport. Alan has built a reputation for delivering world-class ADC services at some of the biggest events in the world, including the UEFA Champions League, European Championships, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He is a trusted partner to football clubs and governing bodies, ensuring that blind and low vision fans can enjoy live sport through high-quality, inclusive commentary.

Today, Alan brings that expertise to Hear Sport, where he serves as the Master Trainer for ADC. In this role leading the training academy, he is responsible for setting the highest standards of training and accreditation, preparing the next generation of commentators to deliver professional, empathetic, and technically excellent ADC both in stadiums and across broadcast platforms.

Respected globally for his knowledge and passion, Alan continues to champion accessibility, helping to grow the network of trained commentators and expanding opportunities for fans everywhere to experience the game on equal terms.

ADC Training

Our in-person audio description training is designed for sports commentators who want to immerse themselves fully in the craft of accessible commentary. 

Delivered by experienced trainers, this program blends theory with extensive practice. Participants will learn the principles of high-quality audio description, develop their descriptive vocabulary, and practice live commentary with professional feedback. 

This hands-on approach ensures commentators gain the confidence and skills to deliver accurate, engaging, and inclusive experiences for every fan.

Man broadcasting live ADC commentary at a soccer game in a stadium

Remote Training

For those unable to attend in person, our remote training program offers the same accredited curriculum delivered in a flexible online format.

Through interactive virtual workshops, guided exercises, and live feedback sessions, participants receive practical training without geographical barriers.

This option is ideal for professionals who want to up skill their commentary in a more convenient way while gaining their ADC skills and accreditation.

A photo of a wheelchair user and ADC trained commentator.
ADC commentator trained by Alan March, Master Trainer for Hear Sport

Accreditation

Our accreditation program is the industry standard for excellence in audio description commentary. Following successful completion of either our in-person or remote training, participants are eligible for accreditation by demonstrating their professional competence.

Accreditation is offered at four levels in each chosen sport, and involves both assessment and practical demonstration, ensuring commentators meet recognized quality benchmarks. 

This credential not only validates your expertise but also assures audiences, sports organizations, and governing bodies that your commentary is inclusive, accurate, and aligned with best practices.

Katie, a photo of the first ever woman to Audio Describe a Women’s UEFA soccer club final match.
Katie, first ever woman to Audio Describe a Women’s UEFA soccer club final match.

Audio Description Commentary (ADC) has proven its versatility and value across a wide range of sports, enhancing accessibility and inclusion for fans everywhere. We deliver ADC in dynamic, fast-paced sports such as tennis, badminton, fencing, rugby, hockey, cycling, and boxing, where precise timing and rapid changes of play must be captured clearly. 

It is equally powerful in more fluid or visually complex events like gymnastics, swimming, athletics (including World Championships), and showjumping, where movement detail, environment, and atmosphere are essential. 

ADC also plays a critical role in Greco-Roman wrestling, where close-contact actions can be otherwise hard to follow, and in Paralympic sports such as boccia and goalball, where describing fine tactical details and spatial play ensures inclusivity. By delivering ADC across all these sports, we help ensure that every fan, regardless of visual ability, can fully experience the drama, emotion, and detail of live sport.

FAQs

Yes, a detailed expert knowledge of the sport you wish to commentate in. No prior commentary experience is required, but any experience will be beneficial.

No prior commentary experience is necessary, but you do need a deep knowledge of the sport you wish to commentate in.

The basic training is a 2-day in-person course, followed by  4 additional weeks of supervised improvement. Improvement training is a series of video exercises, one per week, where you will add ADC commentary to continue to improve your skills.

The remote program is a series of 5 remote sessions over a week, followed by homework exercises where you will be adding commentary to prerecorded sports.

This is followed by 4 additional weeks of supervised improvement. Improvement training is a series of video exercises, one per week, where you will add ADC commentary to continue to improve your skills.

We operate a freelance agency to place you with our major league clients who need talented ADC commentators. You must be trained and accredited by us to be placed with these clients. 

Traditional play-by-play is designed to enhance the excitement of the game for fans who can already see the action. Audio Description Commentary (ADC), however, focuses on making the game accessible to fans who are blind or visually impaired. Instead of adding opinion, drama, or analysis, ADC provides clear, neutral, and precise descriptions of what is happening — player movements, uniforms, gestures, and key on-field dynamics. Where play-by-play assumes the audience has the visual context, ADC ensures every listener can build their own mental picture of the game, making sports truly inclusive.

Audio Description Commentary ensures that fans who are blind or visually impaired can fully experience live sports. Without ADC, many fans are excluded from the excitement, energy, and detail of the game. By providing clear, unbiased descriptions of the action, ADC makes sports truly inclusive — allowing every fan to follow the match, celebrate the big moments, and feel part of the crowd. Beyond accessibility, ADC demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and fan engagement, helping clubs and broadcasters reach a wider audience and meet recognized accessibility standards.

Yes, and it’s growing rapidly. As sports organizations, broadcasters, and governing bodies place greater emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, the need for skilled ADC commentators continues to rise. Fans who are blind or visually impaired represent a passionate and underserved audience, and more clubs are recognizing the importance of making their live experiences accessible. Accredited ADC commentators are in demand worldwide to support domestic leagues, international tournaments, and major events, making this a valuable professional skill with real career opportunities.

Get ADC Trained

Ready to level up your commentary?

Get ADC training and accreditation today.