So, the Rio Olympics are getting ever closer, and as a country we are about to stand behind our sporting heroes. Many of us will have spent our childhood and quite possibly a lot of our adulthood partaking or at least supporting one sport or another. I am no exception to this. As a child I played pitch and put with my friends and as I grew older I wanted to try something a little more exciting. Sure, I had played football and rugby with my school friends. I’d even been forced to play cricket at school during PE. I never really understood that game. However, for me the sport I found to be exciting was archery. A sport that I spent many years enjoying and later coaching. It gave me a sense of purpose and reward. I kept doing archery until my work life took over.
However, I still carry with me many of the things I learned. I am a better person for having taken part in a sport that I loved doing. Although I never had the drive to compete to go to the Olympics, I do still have a sense of comradery with those athletes who have. I understand the commitment they have made and the hard work that is required. For this all our athletes should be praised and supported, both Olympians and Paralympians. It’s no mean feat to rise to the panicle of your chosen sport. But, everything and has to start somewhere and I’m sure that every athlete who is about to represent their country will say the same thing. Without the grassroots clubs, we would not be able to compete in our chosen discipline.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is, let’s not forget the little guy that makes it possible for the big guy. There are lots of different local clubs for most sports in this country and they too deserve a little support. Of course the best way to do this is to find them and go along. Get involved and you never know, you or someone you know could be the next great Olympic hero this country has to offer.
If you are looking for a sport to take up or if you are a club looking for a venue to practise. Please call or email me for availability.
