Sporty Sussex

Feeling positive about the upcoming summer? Searching for a new challenge? Why not take a hint from Hanna Prince and take up a new sport. Here’s four to choose from

Croquet

Sociable, challenging and great fun for all ages, croquet is more than just a casual garden sport. Here’s how to get involved

If you’re looking for a fast-paced sport that boosts fitness and is suitable for the whole family, hockey might just be for you

Croquet has been an English country garden staple since the 1900s. Its origins are shrouded in mystery – one theory is that the game was imported from Ireland in the 1850s, but it’s more likely to be based on the French sport paille-maille. Charles II was such a fan of this ball-and-mallet game that he appropriated a walk in St James’s Park where he could play it with his courtiers - the area now called Pall Mall.

Today, croquet is governed by the National Croquet Association (www. croquet.org.uk). There are many versions of the game, but it’s generally based around six hoops and four balls. The object is to hit your balls around a croquet lawn using a mallet, scoring points as you move through the hoops.

WHERE TO PLAY There are plenty of places to try your hand at croquet in Sussex. Linda Gavigan of Sussex County Croquet Club told me, “Croquet is a challenging yet sociable sport, which is experiencing a revival as people look for Covid-19 safe activities in the open air.” Sussex Croquet County Club is based in Southwick. Linda added, “It’s the leading club in the South East and has experienced a 26% increase in members in the past year. We offer free havea-go sessions and free coaching on 11 international tournament lawns across a five-acre site. All ages, genders and abilities are welcome. Visit www.sussexcountycroquetclub.org.uk to find out more

Hockey

Hockey is famous for its inclusiveness – not only is it the country’s most genderequal sport, it’s also common to have several generations of the same family playing on the same team. The game enjoyed a resurgence after Team GB women won Gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, with 10,000 people signing up to their local hockey club after being inspired.

There are several different variations, but field hockey is generally played by an 11-a-side team with the aim being to score a goal in the other team’s net. Ice hockey – most popular in North America and northern Europe – sees two teams attempt to hit a ‘puck’ across an ice rink, while street hockey is similar but played on asphalt rather than ice. England Hockey (www.englandhockey.co.uk), field hockey’s governing body, is a good place to start if you want to get involved.

WHERE TO PLAY

Sussex boasts one of the country’s most successful hockey clubs. East Grinstead Hockey Club (EGHC) was founded in 1897 and has produced several international stars. “EGHC is a family hockey club offering training and matches from complete beginners to Premier League standard,” said ladies Club Captain Lottie Gregory-Young. “Our coaches are some of the best in the country and it’s easy for beginners or experienced players to get involved. We are running sessions over the summer, so please email info@eghockey.co.uk for more information and to arrange a free trial”

This historic sport is played in dozens of villages and towns across Sussex. Joining your local club is a great way for all ages to get active outdoors

Looking for a fun way to boost your fitness? Tennis is a winning combination of aerobic activity and competitive thrill – and it couldn’t be easier for beginners to gain racket skills

It might look serenely relaxing, but bowls is a tactical and highly competitive game that unites people of different ages, genders and fitness levels. It’s one of the world’s most historic sports. A form of the game is thought to have been enjoyed since prehistoric times, and bowls in its modern format has been played in England since the 12th century – possibly even earlier.

Most clubs welcome complete beginners. You can track down your local bowling green through Bowls England (www.bowlsengland.com) or find an indoor venue via the English Indoor Bowling Association (http://www.eiba. co.uk). Whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors, the objective is to roll biased balls, so that they stop as close as possible to a smaller ball (usually called a ‘jack’ or a ‘kitty’). WHERE TO PLAY Lewes has a strong historical bowls tradition. The Lewes Bowling Green has been in use since the 17th century and counted Tom Paine as one of its earliest members – he’s said to have pondered ideas for The Rights of Man while playing bowls. Nowadays, the Lewes Bowls Club (www.lewesbowlsclub.co.uk) offers a welcoming and sociable place to play, with coaching available for beginners. “All you need to come and try your hand at bowls is a flat pair of shoes,” says the club. “The big thing with bowls is to take part and to have fun!”

Tennis

Think tennis and your mind probably jumps to the hushed crowds and tension-laden games of Wimbledon. Away from the international arena, though, tennis is one of the most versatile sports around. It can be played indoors or outdoors, on grass, clay or hard courts. Games can be competitive or relaxed, singles or doubles – and all you need to get started is a racket, a ball and a partner. “Tennis can be started from as young as three and into your 80s and 90s,” said Suzi Christie of Cross in Hand Tennis Club. “It’s a great sport for getting you outside and giving you aerobic exercise as well as mental stimulation.” The

Lawn Tennis Association (www.lta. org.uk) is the governing body for tennis in Britain and offers a club finder for aspiring new players. WHERE TO PLAY Located just to the west of Heathfield, Cross in Hand Tennis Club (https:// clubspark.lta.org.uk/) is one of the area’s leading tennis venues. According to Suzi, the club welcomes players of all ages and standards. “For beginners, returners or people who want to improve, there is an excellent coaching programme,” she noted. “For more experienced players there are ladder competitions and the opportunity to represent the club in various leagues. The club has five excellent artificial clay courts with floodlighting and a clubhouse with changing facilities and a bar.” l

07833 478786 info@wandsbc.co.uk www.wandsbuildingcontractors.co.uk