GOOD SPORTS The love of a particular sporting activity brings many people together. Steve Ashfield gets the lowdown SUSSEX SWANS

When you start playing sport, there are a couple of routes you can go down. Go for personal success or join a sports group. Being part of a group entails training with others, helping your fellow members and, of course, there’s the reaction to how the results go.

Here we take look at what it’s like to be part of a local sporting club with views from Sussex Swans

Tough but enjoyable: Australian Rules Football is most likely to be the sport covered here that you know least about. I had no idea that the Sussex Swans existed, so what’s it all about? Liz Ridgway gave me a long description of the game (you can read the full reply on the Gscene website). Suffice to say it’s played on an oval field between two teams of 18 players, or sometimes nine-a-side on a rugby pitch. “The game features frequent physical contests, spectacular marking, fast movement of both players and the ball and high scoring”, so it’s probably not for the faint-hearted either.

STARTING THE JOURNEY

Making that first step is often difficult but the results can be so rewarding. Liz started playing her sport while growing up in Australia. Years later, on arrival in Brighton, she was surprised to hear of the Sussex Swans. There wasn’t a women’s team and soon “the goal of building that team” began, resulting in the team being formed. Now they take on some of the more established sides in the area.

Making new friends has been particularly important for Liz. Facing mental health problems and public harassment, Liz spent many years living in isolation. Becoming a member of the Sussex Swans helped produce improvements leading to “a more liveable life.” Liz became more confident because, rather than being isolated, she was now part of a team. “I began loving who I was again and of course I gained a huge group of friends, allies and support. Going regularly to the gym began again and now Liz has a career as a personal trainer.

Liz playing Aussie Rules Football

Is being part of a group empowering?

The unanimous opinion of those we’ve interviewed is yes. James has a great opinion about this. “The real empowerment is getting outside and doing some exercise.” Using a group for sports to improve your life has also been the case for Liz. “It includes striving to live a better life personally and moving towards living up to my potential.” Helping to create the women’s team at the Sussex Swans has led to more opportunities for women to play sport and that’s especially important to Liz.

That feeling is shared by Julia at OTS. “Being part of a group with a shared goal gives a great sense of purpose and belonging. It’s lovely to have such a friendly group to spend time with and do different activities with.” Being part of a team has helped Byron build up his confidence. “It’s helped me find the ability to do things and go places my younger self had never thought possible and playing rugby has helped me find the person that I wanted to be.”

Any downsides?

We’ve heard a great deal of positivity about being part of a sporting community but are there any downsides?

Liz

For Liz, it’s the possible reaction of other people towards her causing uncertainty. “You’re never sure if someone will take offence that you’re trans, lodge complaints to governing bodies or just heckle you from the sidelines.” Liz hasn’t experienced that yet but “fear is present, the worry and concern for your safety is always there”. Aside from that unwanted reaction from others, the main downside for Liz is the ever-present possibility of getting injured.

Living through lockdown...

Being part of a sports team hasn’t been easy of late, with fixtures postponed and restrictions making training impossible. Our locals have had to adapt to the situation. They’ve been inventive and again that spirit of togetherness has been important. The pandemic has caused mass disruption for sporting fixtures.

For Liz, training and matches have been replaced by a “creative and liberating” time. It’s given her more time to concentrate on her online personal training business. This has seen her “developing group cases with Trans Can Sport and one-to-one sessions with some existing clients”.

Final words

It’s clear to see that joining in a sport can be greatly beneficial. That feeling of camaraderie, boosting of self-confidence and a muchimproved social life are all common themes. Becoming a member means sharing your love of sport with others and long may it continue.

www.sussexswans.com )