SOUND Vault – a community-driven podcast and online audio network based in Farnham - is marking World Radio Day 2018 tomorrow (Tuesday), by making three special shows using the day’s theme of ‘radio and sports’ and in particular, issues associated with diversity in sports coverage, coverage of traditional and grassroots games, and helping people reconnect with their cultural heritage.

With the day being the first anniversary of Sound Vault revealing its launch plans back on World Radio Day back in 2017, it will also be throwing open its doors for an ‘open studio’ event on the day. The special shows are:

• A Kick in The Family - Children’s storyteller Gilly Stewart discovers the part that football has played in her own family’s cultural heritage when she tells the story of making the difficult decision to track down her biological family in the 1980s, only to discover her paternal grandfather (and two of his brothers) played for West Bromwich Albion in the 1890s.

She believes it might go some way to explain why she was so keen to join the boys’ football team at college for a kick-about, but with diversity less embraced on the pitch than it is today, deliberate fouling to keep her off the pitch, and her own concern to stay ‘injury-free’ for her other love, dancing, meant she had to give it up.

If Gilly had been born today, might she have been more likely to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and play at Wembley, but for West Bromwich Albion FC Women? Gilly is a founding contributor at Sound Vault, and lives in Farnham.

• Campaign Slam Dunk - Michael Chacko reflects on the importance of sport to our cultural and civic life by sharing the story of why he decided to launch – and how he won – the campaign for a basketball court in his local community in Yateley in Hampshire.

Although born in the UK, Michael has Indian and German parents, which has given him a personal angle on diversity issues. A keen sports player – whether football, badminton or basketball for example – he used insights he gained in part as a member of the UK Youth Parliament between 2015-2017 as he mobilised the campaign to secure a new sporting civic resource.

Michael – aka ‘Chack’ – is a founding Sound Vault contributor, and a sixth form student in Yateley, Hampshire.

• Fans’ Eye Radio - In Fans’ Eye Radio, Kevin Rye takes a look at the exponential growth in fan-driven radio and podcasting at a more grassroots level in football.

Some stations are run by volunteers; some have emerged into full-time operations, but either way, they can guarantee a more diverse range of voices are heard when it comes to our football clubs.

They can offer a matchday online operation, as well as connecting a wider group with content for fans from across the world. Some have become so polished, they can even provide content for mainstream broadcasters.

Kevin Rye started going to football matches at the age of five when Wimbledon FC first entered the League in the 1970s. Decades later, he was part of the Wimbledon Independent Supporters’ Association (WISA) which tried to save, and then resurrected Wimbledon’s favourite club – AFC Wimbledon as it became.

In his professional life, he has worked for many years, helping supporters and clubs to build better relationships. Kevin is a Sound Vault contributor, and lives locally in Surrey.

In addition, Sound Vault will hold an ‘open studio’ on World Radio Day (Tuesday, February 13) between 11am and 3pm to enable those who have yet to discover online radio to drop by, listen to the three new ‘radio and sports’ shows (which will form part of the ‘Sound Vault: Voices’ podcast’) and discover more, as well as volunteer to get involved in making programmes. Anyone is welcome.

Sound Vault’s editor, and former head of PR at BBC Radio 1, Paul Simpson said: “We are particularly excited to mark World Radio Day this year, one year on from when we originally revealed our plans for Sound Vault.

“We are creating a radio space for all – and we hope you will join us in celebrating listening – whether by listening to our shows, supporting us on social media, visiting us in the studio – or getting involved in making shows.”

Sound Vault is based at Studio 15, in the east wing of Farnham Maltings, in the heart of Farnham. It has been created in partnership with Farnham Maltings, and shows can be downloaded via iTunes and other podcast apps.