I cannot start my column any other way than saying a huge congratulations of the Lionesses, who at weekend made us immensely proud by being crowned champions of Euro 2022.
Women and girls’ football has blossomed locally (in my house alone my daughter plays in a team and my husband is starting to coach one!), and there are lots of amazing clubs flying the flag; Sevenoaks Town FC, Otford United FC, New Ash Green FC, Westerham FC, Chipstead FC and Ide Hill FC to name just a few.
If you have been inspired, do not hesitate to get in touch with your nearest club. The Lioness have taught us that perseverance pays off, and that everyone should follow their passions and keep fighting for what they believe in.
While on the sport front, I also, alongside local councillors Roddy Hogarth and Julia Thornton, had the pleasure of meeting with Ollie Ireland of Live Biking last week. Ollie provides mountain biking lessons to children and young people, and Live Biking have built and maintains several trails for Sevenoaks area schools, as well as delivering biking tuition at five primaries.
On the site I met Ed and Sarah Rogers and their son Freddy. Ed and Sarah kindly provided land adjacent to the magnificent Riverhill Himalayan Gardens to Ollie to create a bike trail – and the trail is being continually added to by Freddy and his fellow band of mountain bikers – making it ever more challenging.
Ollie had the misfortune of having to give me my first mountain biking lesson, which I loved. I was a long way off some of the skills of the amazing young people that ride there, including Freddy, who did a jump which I watched with my heart in my mouth (as you can see from the photo!).
If you would like to find out more information on Live Biking do visit; https://www.livebiking.co.uk/saturday-bike-club
Local sport clubs and venues play a vital role in our community, and it is brilliant to see so many thriving – with members of all ages. Long may it continue.
