Sporty Sussex

It’s time to get the feel good endorphins pumping again as we continue to celebrate sport in Sussex. Sara Whatley looks at badminton, sailing, rugby and ploughing this month

Badminton

Bopping a shuttlecock across the net in a casual game on a summer’s eve is a sport I can definitely get on board with

Keen to leave dry land and start your sailing adventure? Try it all from high speed adrenaline fuelled boating to chugging along an idyllic canal

Often played in the back garden or on a beach, badminton can be a relaxed and casual game to enjoy with all the family. However, for those that want to take the sport a bit more seriously it can be played formally.

A rectangular indoor court sees singles or doubles striking a shuttlecock with a racquet across a net. “Badminton is a hugely popular and exciting indoor sport, and with the majority of sports centres offering courts to clubs (for competitive club/league badminton) as well as more leisurely casual badminton, it has become a very accessible sport for everyone,” said Mark Dummer, Chairman of Hassocks Badminton Club. There are numerous badminton clubs around Sussex for all ages and abilities to enjoy with a thriving following and many leagues in operation stretching across the county. “Historically we average about 35-40 members,” said Mark. “We’re recognised as being a very friendly and sociable club, offering a good standard club night alongside competitive league badminton. Last season we entered a total of 12 teams in the local leagues. Many of our members also represent the county at Masters level. We encourage players of a good standard who have a similar mindset as ours; to mix fun with competition and complement our welcoming vibe.”

Like many sports clubs, joining a badminton club is more than just playing badminton. You will make a new circle of friends and gain a new level of fitness as well as confidence.

Mark ended with a fun fact: “The fastest smash achieved in competition was clocked at 264.7 mph!” www.sussexbadminton.co.uk

Sailing

There are many different styles of sailing to explore; from yachting, dinghies, motorboat cruising, powerboating, canal boating and speeding away on a personal watercraft.

“Sailing is an exceptional sport,” said Kevin Headon, Commodore of Sussex Yacht Club. “There’s nothing quite like being out on the water, connecting with nature and taking advantage of the natural world. Not only does it bring a range of physical benefits – improving strength, agility and overall fitness – but there are also huge positives for mental wellbeing, as well as many social advantages.” Sussex is a great place to get into sailing with so many varied bodies of water to try out the different types of sailing on. There are plenty of reservoirs and lakes, rivers and canals and of course the wonderful coastline.

Kevin went on to say, “It has been wonderful to see a growing appreciation of the outdoor environment over the past 18 months, with huge increases in people wanting to take up watersports such as sailing, with opportunities for people of all physical abilities and ages to get out on the water. Sailing is not a sport you should try alone, however, and it is important to try it out safely by joining a sailing club. This will ensure you are learning the ropes alongside experienced sailors whilst also reaping the benefits of the wider sporting and social opportunities that will enrich your life and gain you friends.”

So, if your sea legs are feeling buoyant, grab a friend, a life vest and something that floats and enjoy the open water. www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk

Rugby

Ploughing

This most physical of sports is fast paced, fun and full of energy. Join a team near you for a new challenge and new friendships

As September and harvest time rolls around some Sussex fields become busy, buzzing with ploughing matches across the county

“Rugby is promoted to be a sport for all shapes and sizes, but it’s also a sport for all ages, gender, sexual orientation – it’s a sport for everyone,” noted Luke Stewart from East Grinstead Rugby Club. “On a Saturday morning at East Grinstead Rugby Club you can find children aged 2-3½ playing Rugbytots and later that day if a Vets game is on you will find people into their 60s having a run around.”

With 15 players per side split into forwards and backs, the team in possession of the ball move up the field in phases of play. Players can run

forward with the ball or kick it forward and chase it down, but hand to hand passing is backwards. The opposing team must try to stop the ball reaching the try line by defending and trying to gain possession of the ball themselves. The aim is to score more points than the opposing team.

“Rugby is a physically demanding contact sport, but you do it because you want to put your body on the line and win with your teammates,” said Luke. However, touch rugby is on the rise for those that don’t want the contact but still love the sport.

Being a fully inclusive sport, Luke said, “Don’t be perturbed by having not played before, everyone has to start somewhere, and coaches thrive off developing individuals.”

Rugby clubs are like families and this sport develops friendships for life, both on the field and in the clubhouse. “Rugby has great values and develops lasting character traits to take outside of rugby – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship,” stated Luke. www.sussexrugby.co.uk

Ploughing has been fundamental to farming throughout history. Derived from a simple stick used to poke and stir around in the earth, the first ploughs were basic scratching tools some 4,000 years ago. These were often pulled by animals, which enabled the farmer to further his crop and feed his family.

Through history the plough has been slowly developed and improved but the basic design remains the same, it is the pulling power which has changed; from livestock to steam engines, and in the 20th century, tractors.

Farmers have always been competitive with their neighbouring farms over who is the best ploughman. The Society of Ploughmen was set up in 1972 and official rules were introduced. There are now various categories to enter and ploughing matches have become popular not just with farmers but with onlookers as well.

I spoke to Shauna Fenner, Secretary for Laughton & District Agricultural

Society, who said, “Our ploughing match this year will be Laughton & District Agricultural Society’s 91st season on Wednesday 15th September. The ploughing classes available will be for vintage, classic and modern tractors, as well as a heavy horse ploughing section – our last match in 2019 attracted over 50 competitors with tractors and 3 pairs of working horses.

As well as being a ploughing match, it is also a meeting of like-minded country folk. “We have a family section of classes open for cookery, preserves, handicrafts, fruit, veg and flowers, and an education section, which invites a local primary school to enjoy a day of countryside activities, plus trade stands of many local agricultural businesses and charity work,” noted Shauna. www.ploughmen.co.uk