West Kent Sport & Wellbeing - May 2024

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W E S T K EN T SP OR T &

W ELLBEING

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is published every month with free circulation in West Kent including the main towns of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Plus the surrounding areas, including Aylesford, Cranbrook, East Peckham, Edenbridge, Hildenborough, Paddock Wood, Snodland, Southborough, West Kingsdown and Westerham West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is owned and published by One Team Media Ltd and has no ties to the district council, local town councils or any other publishers Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate at the time of going to press, One Team Media Ltd can not accept liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or

omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe One Team Media Ltd does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.

One Team Media

Steve Rowley

Founder, Director & Publishing Editor steve@oneteammedia co uk

Lorraine Rowley

Features Editor & Events Co - ordinator lorraine@oneteammedia.co.uk

This month’s contributors:

Fashion: Bridget Devine, Freelance fashion student and journalist

Fitness: Moe Pangarker, Fitness Expert at Better Body Group

Nutrition: Magdalena Marvell, Nutritional Therapist at the Persea Clinic

Editorial enquiries

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Iona

Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks

Tonbridge s w immer selec ted f or fir s t Paral ympic s

Iona Winnifrith is off to her first Paralympic games in Paris this Summer

For es ter s cut down Ebbsflee t in Kent Cup final

Tunrbidge Wells club add to County Cup haul for 2014

Hello,

Avery warm welcome to you for our May edition of West Kent Sport and Wellbeing magazine I’m pleased to say that the heat has definitely warmed us up a bit, however the rain remains persistent. This month we say goodbye to our winter sports as the last games of football and hockey are completed, with success for multiple local teams. Tunbridge Wells Foresters have particular cause for celebration after winning two county cups, and we talk to their Chairman Stuart Newman in an exclusive interview Meanwhile, local swimmers Iona Winnifrith and Callie-Ann Warrington are making waves after being selected for this summer’s Paralympic Games

We also have your regular features on fitness, nutrition, and fashion from our regular contributors from the Better Body Group, Magdalena Marvell and Bridget Devine

From now on though, or for the next two months at least, it’s cricket all the way, and we’ve brought you an article on where to watch and play the sport in West Kent this summer. So grab the sun hat and lotion, and park yourself up for a few weeks on the boundary, we’ll see you back here in June

Kind regards, Steve

T he 2024 cricke t season is upon us!

A review of where to watch and play cricket in West Kent this summer

Steve Rowley

Publishing

Editor of

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine and

of One Team Media Ltd.

Founder

TONBRIDGE SWIMMER IONA WINNIFRITH IS SELECTED FOR

HER

FIRST

PAR

ALYMPICS AND IS HE ADING TO PARIS 2024

Tonbridge Swimming Club i s delig hted to announce that following her perfor mance at the Briti sh Paraly mpic Trials held at the beginning of April, Iona Winnifrith has been selected by Aquatics GB and the Briti sh Paraly mpic Association to compete at the Pari s 2024 Paraly mpic Games Iona i s the youngest member of the Paraly mpic swim team

Iona has short stature and swims in the S7 class ification for phys ical impair ment.

Iona's favourite event i s the 100m Breaststroke. Her swim in thi s event at the Briti sh Championships saw her tie for G old in the Multi- Class event, in a time that was under the Aquatics GB nomination standard for Pari s Iona, who only tur ned 13 the week after the trials, celebrated receiving her official nomination for m for Pari s on her birthday

Since the trials Iona has competed at the European Para Championships in Madeira and won 2 European Para titles She improved her Personal B est Times in both the 100m Breaststroke (1:2 9.91) and the 200m Individual Medley B oth swims were also new Briti sh Para Swimming Records. Iona

also won European Bronze in the 50m Fly Iona’s exact schedule at the Pari s Paraly mpic Games i s yet to be confir med.

Tonbridge Swimming Club i s ex tremely proud of Iona’s

achievements and holds g reat hopes for the future for thi s exceptionally talented para swimmer B etween now and the games, Iona will continue to train alongs ide her teammates at Tonbridge Swimming Club.

AND R T W MONSON’S CALLIE - ANN IS GOING TOO!

RTW Monson have proudly announced that their athlete and swimming club member Callie-Ann Warrington has been selected to represent Aquatics GB and the British Paralympic Association at the Paralympic Games, which starts in Paris on August 28th Callie-Ann is already a European gold medallist, securing her title at the 2024 Championships in Madeira ahead of her debut Paralympic Games appearance in Paris Callie-Ann's S10 100m Butterfly gold in Madeira was delivered just weeks after claiming a multiclassification 50m Freestyle silver at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London We will all be watching and cheering you on in Paris!

SE V EN OAKS HOC K E Y CLUB U12 GIR L S TAK E SILV ER AT N ATION AL S . . .

Sevenoaks Hockey Club’s juniors have had a fantastic season with an abundance of successes in both regional and national competitions

Saturday 11th May saw the U12 Girls head to Nottingham for their National Finals Day. Teamwork and camaraderie certainly earned these girls their final position in this tournament. Their pre-

tournament warm-up consisted of TikToks, singing and dancing, as well as the usual dynamic and skills based warm-up

The Sevenoaks team ruled their group, finishing top of their group with a clean sheet, beating Slazenger (5-0), Marlow (5-0), and Repton (9-0) Goalkeeper Elisabetta needs to be commended for

. . .W

Sher clean sheet in the group stage in such a high profile tournament – she was outstanding in goal! The Sevenoaks girls were absolutely thrilled, albeit nervous, to play in the England Hockey In2hockey National final, an achievement that few will experience in their hockey careers aThe final didn’t go their way, and they narrowly missed out on gold to become the National silver medallists This is wonderful achievement, and the girls and their coaches should be very proud

The girls played superb hockey throughout the tournament – a testament to their hard work, positivity, friendship, and trust Chloe was the highest goal-scorer of the tournament, with Sadhbh and Annalie finishing 4th and 5th highest respectively It was a very exciting day for Sevenoaks Hockey Club, and the future is certainly bright for those who wear purple.

The club thanked their coaches Orlagh Nelson and Jamie Nelson, and managers Francesca Frosini and Antony ODwyer

H IL ST THEIR O45 WOMEN TAK E SILV ER TOO!

evenoaks Masters over 45 women played in the Cup Final at Lee Valley on May 4th. A late start in glorious sunshine saw the team start brilliantly under expert guidance from Coach Sue Chandler Jen Wilson, Laura den Daas, Britt Stephens, Fay Smith and Louise McCabe-Arnold were causing opposition St Albans all sorts of problem up front with their GK having an outstanding game

At the back Lynn Dawson, Brenda Hogg, Captain Amanda Bishop, Fran Walton, Sue Acott, Lou Curry and Sarah Lock were holding firm and somewhat against the run of play St Albans scored a breakaway goal.

Oaks continued to push forwards with Karen Drake, Jacquie Ward, Louise Baldwin and Carolyn Kelly playing well in the midfield. An unfortunate double deflection saw a surprised opposition forward find the net and confirm victory for St Albans 2-0

Sevenoaks had a fantastic run and after reaching the plate final last year stepped up this season to reach the Cup Final beating Canterbury, Epsom, Guildford and Khalsa Leamington en

route scoring 13 goals and only conceding 1 to win the silver medal

The club thanked their coach Sue Chandler, and managers Sarah-Jane Marshall and Karen Taylor.

HC K N OLE AR E IN HE AV EN AF TER END OF SE ASON N ATION AL C H AMPIONSH IPS

HC Knole Park were celebrating in May after their women’s and girls sides brought home two national titles and a runners up medal! The club’s Women’s 1s (top) and 2s (bottom) were in action at the England Hockey Championship Weekend in Swindon where they both overcame tough oppositions to take home the National crown in Tier 2 and 4 respectively. Meanwhile, the U14 Girls A team (right) were busy at the England Hockey Supra League National Finals day in Notingham where they fourth in the country after a nailbiting shootout

As a Club, they celebrated their first Premier Division title and Craske and Wells trophy in the Sevenoaks League in their 107 year history They always played in the Tonbridge Football League until it folded, and they lost only one league game all season, to local rivals Southborough, having beaten them once in the league and knocked them out the cup.

Hawkenbury got knocked out of the Kent Cup and the Sevenoaks Senior Charities cup by Kent County League opposition, their only other two defeats all year

In a strange twist of fate, the night they won the treble (April 30th 2024), beating St Lawrence 4-2 aet with their captain, George Gill scoring a hatrick to win, it was exactly 15 years to the day, that Hawkenbury won their last treble,

winning the Tonbridge Premier Division, the Presidents Trophy and the Tunbridge Wells Charities Senior Cup.

FORESTERS CUT DOWN EBBSFLEET IN KENT FINAL HAWKENBURY ARE YOUR TREBLE WINNERS 2024

Tunbridge Wells Foresters Football Club, who play in the Premier Division of the Sevenoaks & District League, lifted the DFDS Kent Junior B Cup in May as they cruised past Ebbsfleet Town FC 5-0

A hattrick from 17 year old Adam Larkin earned himself a much deserved Man of the Match award, whilst Jack

They were completely different cups, a different league, and different players, but the same manager, Pete Manktelow.

Stewart and Zach Benton added the other two goals to crown a glorious display by the boys in the bright spring sunshine

Their opponents from the Rochester & District League didn’t have anything in response on the day, and will go away wondering what went wrong Manager Eren Muduroglu was visibly

proud of his young team, and said after the final whistle: “They deserved that today, they worked hard, they’re all young, and I’m pleased for them I am not results- driven, my results are them being better people, and better players ” The clubs senior women’s team also won their Kent Cup final making it a ‘cup double’ for Chairman Stuart Newman

Credit : Hawkenbur y FC

Grab your family and friends for a great night of quizzing to win prizes including a £50 meal voucher, a bottle of Prosecco and a bottle of wine.

The quiz takes place on Thursday 13th June starting at 8.00pm and is just £2 per player, with a maximum of 6 players per team.

Our kitchen will be open from 5.00pm onwards, so why not make an evening of it and leave the car at home. We look forward to welcoming you!

To book your table for this charity event, please call Inna on 01959 562444 or visit our website at www.whitehorsesundridge.co.uk.

The White Horse Inn, Main Road, Sundridge,

At this year's TCS London Marathon, Sevenoaks Samaritans volunteers have made an incredible effort to help raise money with their running shoes and support the amazing individuals racing.

Sevenoaks Samaritans listening volunteer Mark and his wife Emma ran the Marathon as two of the 500 runners raising funds for the Central Samaritans They raised a huge figure of over £7,000, which puts them in the top 10 Samaritans fundraisers They also hosted a charity curry night which raised an additional £600 for Sevenoaks Samaritans. This is an amazing achievement (alongside completing the 26 2 miles!) and we want to applaud both Mark and Emma on their fantastic efforts!

Samaritans supporters shine!

Four of our volunteers, Elizabeth, Sue, Vicki, and Dave, traveled up to London to spend their day manning some of the 13 Emotional Support Gazebos and cheering stations dotted around the Marathon’s course

Dave Hickson commented: “It was fantastic to be involved in such an uplifting event We were there as part of the Central Samaritans Team to provide emotional support to those needing it, cheer the runners and generally spread the word about Samaritans. It was a great day volunteering and meeting with Samaritans from all over the country ” There was also a very early start for many of their volunteers, who gave Marathon runners and their supporters a super send off on the Sunday Morning

Park Run Personal Bests!

Thank you to all the volunteers for raising our profile at the Tonbridge Park Run the day before the Marathon Here they are, pictured with Dame Kelly Holmes, a Samaritan’s Ambassador, enjoying those post-run endorphins!

JUST AN OTHER W EEK END AND AN OTHER CUP FOR AYLE SFOR D!

Aylesford Football Club have certainly enjoyed their season this year With the championship and promotion from the Kent County Football League (KCFL) Division Two East already in the bag, they set their sights on the DFDS Kent Junior A Cup final versus Upchurch FC at Chatham Town’s Bauvill Stadium. Goals from George Kingdon, who also received the man of the match award, and Aaron Stebbeds, were just enough to see off a spirited Upchurch side, 2-1 And they were unlucky not to add a third trophy to their cabinet this year, after playing in the KCFL’s Eastern Section Les Leckie Cup Final against Lokomotiv Canterbury, where they lost out on

penalties 5-6 after a tremendous 2-2 draw.

Aylesford Veterans also lifted the KCFL Veterans Division One title after a 16 game season saw them only lose three times It was only the women’s side who didn’t really get going this year, as they lost their place in the London & South East Regional Women's League Premier Division after 10 years Although depending on league rules and number for next season, they may receive a reprieve as they did in 2023

• Aylesford’s B team were due to play in the Sevenoaks & District Football League’s Premier Division last year, but pulled out after playing nine of their 16 league games in March.

SROUNDUP

evenoaks Vine 1st XI and Kings Hill 1st XI both recorded their first wins of the season on May 18th.

Sevenoaks played Dartford at home in the Kent Cricket League Championship and won by 18 runs thanks in part to a knock of 63 not out by Will House, and four wickets for 22 runs by Andrew Reid-Dick Kings Hill were also at home in Division One where they saw off a healthy challange from Gravesend Richard Nicol high scored with 66 runs off 104 balls. Elsewhere, Sevenoaks Vine’s women’s team hit a wonderful 282 runs off their 30 overs to beat St Lawrence & Highland Court Womens 2nd Victoria Kern (88), Keri Holmes (49), and Jen Wilson-Rowe (55) with the majority of the runs

Ay lesford FC beat Upchurch 2-1 in the DFDS Kent Junior A Cup final, which was the las t regional final of the season.

FOOTBALL

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Slade Green Knights Green 16 10 15 19 60 -41 3

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FOOTBALL

SUSSEX

SUSSEX

CRICKET

Sport and Accountancy

Committed

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A B OU T T HE COMMUNI T Y A S OUR S?

Make y our busine s s par t of the

loc al communit y w ith We s t K ent

Spor

t & Wellbeing!

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is an independent publication, dedicated to the local West Kent community. The publication provides a platform to thousands of local sporting individuals, clubs, societies, schools and charities every month, bringing to the community their news, their stories, raising awareness and highlighting their profiles.

As a free to pick up publication, the magazine is funded by advertisers, therefore as an advertiser with West Kent Sport & Wellbeing, you are directly supporting the platform that helps promote the community’s grassroots sports and local wellbeing charities.

You are demonstrating to the local community that you are passionate about their stories being heard and you are impassioned and care about the future success of our local clubs and societies.

Community is at the heart of every club and it has never been so vital for their future, and loyalty in supporting one another has never been so valued. So if you think your business would benefit from becoming part of the West Kent Sport & Wellbeing community, please contact us about advertising today at advertising@oneteammedia.co.uk.

Highly Commended for Kent Magazine of the Year and Kent Sports Journalist of the Year 2023

TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORESTERS FC CELEBR ATE THEIR YEAR TO REMEMBER

Tunbridge Wells Foresters Football Club are celebrating after clinching two cups for their senior men’s and women’s sides, and their Chairman Stuart Newman, is extremely proud of how far the club has come in such a short space of time.

Foresters’ senior men’s side made it a cup double for the club in May after they lifted the DFDS Kent Junior B Cup, just a few weeks after the senior women’s side took home the DFDS Kent Women’s Plate

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine’s Editor Steve Rowley spoke exclusively to Stuart who commented on his clubs season

“It’s been another amazing year for this club, and one that I never would have dreamed of when I semi-reluctantly agreed to take on the job of Club Chair for a year 10 years ago, the club had been through a challenging period, and it was run more like a franchise than a football club, so I agreed to take on the role on a caretaker basis Now a decade later, I am so proud to be a part of a committee that has taken us to where we are now ”

“To finish the 2023/24 season with over 900 players and 59 teams is quite incredible. I was fortunate enough to watch both our women’s and men’s 1st

XI teams win Kent County cup finals for the club recently, so little old Tunbridge Wells Foresters are now double county winners ”

Growing the Foresters

As with many other clubs, Tunbridge Wells Foresters are always looking for ways to expand Stuart added: “The major growth areas we have looked to support in the past couple of years have been within the women’s and girls game As of next season, we will be entering eight girls’ team, and I believe we are the only club in Kent to run three senior women’s teams

“Our success is all down to our amazing coaches who look to nurture kids when they join us at reception age, and we have always had a strong and enthusiastic development squads This is where the magic starts and kids will meet friends for life, having fun kicking a ball about and learning the basics of the great game whilst starting their Foresters journey.”

“Players develop in different ways but the first couple of years should be about fun and enjoying a new sport It breaks

Tunbridge Wells Foresters’ Chairman Stuar t Newman celebrated with the clubs men’s and women’s 1st teams af ter their cup wins

The Foresters women’s 1st XI won the DFDS Kent Women’s Plate final against Pet ts Wood in April.

my heart when you see player advertisements for an ‘experienced goalkeeper’ for example for an Under 8 team, wrong for numerous reasons, let them learn and have fun.”

Pathway to adult football

We asked Stuart about the clubs pathway to adult football, he said: “It’s only been the last couple of years that we have finally established senior teams at the club, so we can finally offer a pathway to adult football We appreciate that not everyone will stay with us and some players will leave ”

“However, I bumped into one of our senior players at the start of last season. He had started with us as a five-year-old, then stayed with us until he left at 18. I’m proud to say I was able to watch his development as one of his coaches in junior football Returning to the club after two years he walked up to me and with a broad smile said ‘nice to be back home Stu!’ which meant an awful lot to me

“As a club we have had our challenges to provide just basic facilities and have battled with our local authority to offer us some support and help We thought we had a lease for a sports ground we use, but it had more holes in it than a Swiss cheese, with so many clauses and restrictions, it would have put the club out of business financially

“It is such a shame as the Football Foundation thought we had an amazingly sound, and financially viable strategic plan, but if the will is not there and bureaucracy gets in the way, along with ridiculous box ticking, then you have no chance There was more concern about the future deceased in decades to come rather than the living today.”

What’s next for Foresters?

Talking about the future for himself and the club, Stuart added: “The next decade I hope to stay on board for a bit longer if voted for by our members, and my dream would be for us to have our own ground which a club of our size

deserves to have We just need local councils to support us and understand what we and other sports clubs offer the local community - inspiring local kids to be part of a club that they are proud of “Seeing kids walking around wearing their club shirts in Tunbridge Wells town centre means we must be doing something right.”

• Tunbridge Wells Foresters FC are always on the look out for new playersfrom their senior teams to reception age. Contact them via their website at forestersfc.com or go to their social media pages for more information on how to join this wonderful club

Tunbridge Wells Foresters men’s 1st XI af ter winning their first piece of silver ware, the DFDS Kent Junior B Cup

“Junior football is where the magic star ts and kids meet friends for life Having fun kicking a ball about and learning the basics of the game, whilst star ting their Foresters journey ” - Stuar t Newman, Tunbridge Wells Foresters Chairman

THE 2024 CRICKET SE ASON HAS STARTED - WHERE TO WATCH AND PL AY THIS YE AR

The Kent Cricket League, Kent County Village League, and the Smash are all underway, so we though we’d guide you through the start of the 2024 cricket season.

In 2023 the Kent Regional Cricket League’s (KRCL) amalgamation with the Kent Cricket League (KCL) was a complete success, and many of the clubs in West Kent took up the challenge and swung into action with multiple titles up for grabs.

At the pinnacle of the KCL is the Premier Division, however this season we will only see one club battling for the top spot after Sevenoaks Vine and Holmesdale were relegated to the Championship Our sole representatives this year are Tunbridge Wells who enjoyed a great season in 2023 and they will be hoping for more of the same, even without their nearest rivals in the competition.

Clubs who will be looking to put a dent in their title hopes this season include Bexley, Bickley Park, Blackheath, Canterbury, Hayes, Lordswood, Minster, Sandwich Town, and St Lawrence & Highland Court Lordswood and Bexley were the only teams to finish above Tunbridge Wells last season, however a good start to the campaign will be needed to challenge for the trophy once again.

So to the KCL Championship, where this season we have Holmesdale, Linden Park, and Sevenoaks Vine all competing for a sacred place back in the top division. Each team will no doubt be looking at the fixtures against each other as pivotal points in the season

The KCL rarely disappoints its fans, and it will be another exciting season of cricket, with plenty of drama, action, and nail-biting finishes on the cards. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, the KCL is a must-watch for any cricket lover So, grab your sunhat, pack your picnic baskets, and

get ready for a summer of cricketing excitement in West Kent

Kings Hill will do battle once again in the KCL Division 1, whilst Sevenoaks Vine 2nd and Tunbridge Wells 2nd are set to go in Division 2 Cowdrey are in Division 3, and Holmesdale 2nd stay in Division 4 for another year

Last year the KCL structure got a little more complicated with no less than 24 divisions to incorporate the KRCL This year it’s grown to 30 divisions. Divisions 5, 6 and 7 are once again split into Hurricane (East) and Spitfire (West), reflecting the close connection the league has with their sponsors Shepherd Neame

This was done to reduce the distance each cricket club has to travel, and with the cost of living crisis still around, it is a welcome approach to a growing issue from a league committee with sport at the heart of its organisation. Tonbridge are placed in Division 5 Hurricane, whilst Linden Park 2nd are in Division 6 Spitfire

Kings Hill 2nd hold the fort in Division 6 Spitfire and Cowdrey 2nd do the same in Division 7 Spitfire

The league pyramid is then broken down even further, with divisions split into East, West, and Central areas, and are called Shepherd, Underwood and Knott respectively

The KCL took these names from three of

q The picturesque set ting of Kings Hill Cricket Club will only get bet ter as the years pass

p The iconic Vine Cricket Ground in Sevenoaks has hosted cricket since 1734 .

Kent’s finest and legendary cricketers. All-round superstar John Shepherd, master of containment Derek Underwood, who we lost earlier this year, and inspirational but unorthodox keeper Alan Knott

Placements for local clubs are as follows: Sevenoaks 3rd take part in Division 8 Underwood; Kings Hill 3rd, New Ash Green, and Tonbridge 2nd are all in Division 8 Knott; Snodland Community in Division 10 Knott; Holmesdale 3rd in Division 11 Underwood; Cowdrey 3rd in Division 11 Knott; Kings Hill 4th in Division 12 Knott; and and New Ash Green 2nd in Division 13 Knott

Sussex Cricket League

The Sussex Cricket League (SCL) is just as important for fans of local cricket as teams from Edenbridge, Linden Park, Tunbridge Wells, and Tunbridge Wells Borderers are all set to give it a go in 2024

It starts with Tunbridge Wells 3rd in Division 6 East, and Edenbridge remain in Division 6 Central, finishing a promising third place after their promotion the season before Linden Park 3rd are the sole representatives in Division 8 East, whilst Edenbridge 2nd go one more time in Division 8 Central. They are bolstered by Tunbridge Wells Borderers in Division 9 East; Linden Park 4th and Tunbridge Wells 4th in Division 10 East; Linden Park 5th in Division 11 East (North); and Tunbridge Wells Borderers 2nd and TW Superkings in Division 12 East (North)

The Kent County Village League (KCVL) is the breeding ground for youngsters setting out on their cricket careers and a number of clubs, if not all, will welcome any newcomers to the game It is also a weekend retreat for those who are in the twilight of their innings, but who still have what it takes to take part in this wonderful sporting activity every weekend during the summer

There are 75 teams taking part in the league this year from a total of 44 participating clubs

West Kent cricket clubs playing in the KCVL in 2024 are: Bidborough, Chevening Amblers, Chiddingstone, Eynsford, Farningham, Fordcombe, Four Elms, Hadlow, Halstead, Hartley Country Club, Horsmonden, Horton Kirby, Ightham, Kemsing, Knockholt, Leigh, Pembury, Penshurst Park, Plaxtol,

Sennocke, Shipbourne, Shoreham & Otford, Sissinghurst, Southborough, St Lawrence, Stonehouse, Stonewall Park, Underriver, and Weald

We are sure that we speak for all West Kent sides when we say that if you fancy joining a club to either start or to resurrect your cricketing career, then contacting one of these clubs would be the best starting point.

The Smash 2024

No sporting summer is complete without Kent’s premier 100-ball midweek cricket competition, The Smash! Now in it’s fourth year, there are 40 teams taking part in this years competition which are spread over two tiers and nine groups.

The way in which the tournament has been set up by the organisers means that all teams will play at least three matches during the course of the summer, with the top 16 seeded teams progressing through to the knockout stages, who will then be placed in the quarter-finals of either the Cup, Plate or Bowl depending on their placing at the end of the group stages

Holmesdale Stallions will once again be the team to beat and they will be looking for revenge after relinquishing the Cup competition after a hattrick of titles The Smash finals day will take place on Sunday 28th July at Sevenoaks Vine Cricket Club from 10 00am

• You can keep up to date with all the latest news, results, and fixtures at localsportsnews.co.uk where you can subscribe to our weekly stats report

Kent County Village League

p The Nevill Cricket Ground in Tunbridge Wells aims to bring Count y Cricket back to the town soon.

p Linden Park Cricket Club in the middle of Tunbridge Wells hope to see more spectators making use of their fantastic facilities this year.

L

Bridget

Idon’t know about you but it seems this summer cycling is all the rage

Now the sun is shining it seems only right that the country lanes of the South East are transformed into a runway for bikes every weekend

It’s difficult to drive anywhere without spying a road bike racing down the road or another car heavy laden with gravel bikes, off on a weekend cycling adventure

I’m sure many of you are aware that the Giro D’Italia began at the beginning of May in Turin where some of the world's most athletic cyclists complete the century old cycling tour With the Tour de France around the corner, as well, it only seems fair that we take a deep dive into cycling gear and what to wear whether you are going for a stationary spin on your Peleton or a leisurely ride through the countryside

Alike most sportswear, cycling jerseys were fabricated from wool at the start of the 20th century when cycling became a professional sport. Since then they have evolved into lurid- coloured, lightweight and slim fitted jerseys that offer peak performance and technicality. So where should you be shopping this season for the best cycling attire to gear you up for summer?

Rapha is a well regarded cycling-wear brand that is celebrating their 20th anniversary with the debut of their Pro Team Gazzetta Gilet. It is a printed cycling jersey that is a re- design of their 2008 original, featuring a pastel italian newspaper print on the back

The limited edition gilet references the italian pink sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that actually

founded the Giro D’Italia tour in 1909, so now would be the perfect time to wear one of their iconic reworked gilets and bring a token of the Giro D’Italia to the english countryside.

With these printed pink jerseys in mind it's safe to say that colour is an essential when it comes to cycling-wear, for practical reasons as much as following the trends

A brand that focuses on producing jerseys in the most coveted, stand- out colours is Universal Colours They are a newly established brand that put its roots in the cycling world right out of lockdown.

The London based designers look to ‘originality, durability and responsibility’ in their sportswear just as much as their conscious efforts to work with sustainable producers when it comes to sourcing materials Their jerseys are priced on the higher end of the market but they come in a fantastic range of colours that would be a great investment for your summer sports wardrobe or as a gift for an avid biker

The Chroma jersey comes in colours such as Berry Purple, Lime Green and

Blue Java, all made from fine woven French nylon for peak performance

Another brand that is worth noting is Giro, an American brand that produces the perfect jerseys and bib shorts for summer with moisture-wicking fabrics for even the hottest days all using recycled materials. They are a great option for more timeless pieces that will last long and be practical, from gloves to helmets when it comes to safety-wear

Whatever you decide to opt for on the lanes and trails this season, make sure to include warm toned colours and bright prints wherever possible, even a new pair of cycling socks from United Colours would be the perfect addition to any bib shorts cycling outfit

Here are a few suggestions of the kind of colours and pieces that are trending this summer

Chroma Mens Short Sleeve Jersey Berry

p Bridget Devine is a Fashion Journalism student in her first year at Central Saint Mar tins - Universit y of the Ar ts London.

In the world of sports, whether it’s acing a serve in tennis, hurling a discus, or driving a golf ball, possessing explosive power can significantly elevate your performance. While honed techniques and skills are critical, the ability to rapidly generate maximum force a capability known as power is what truly distinguishes top athletes

What is Power in Sports?

Power in athletics is defined as the capacity to exert the maximum amount of force in the shortest possible time. It is a crucial attribute across a wide array of sports, enhancing performance in both team and individual disciplines. This attribute works in tandem with strength, speed, and coordination, contributing significantly to success on the field or court.

The role of power in athletic performance

Power is indispensable in sports For instance, in rugby, the ability to explosively ruck, tackle, and sprint is vital. In tennis or golf, rotational power directly influences your ability to execute precise, forceful shots.

Essentially, maintaining power while ensuring fluid movement is fundamental across all sports disciplines, emphasising the importance of targeted power training.

Movements like throwing, jumping, and sprinting require athletes to exhibit varying degrees of power, posing unique challenges. While raw strength provides a solid foundation for movement, the ability to unleash power relies more on the capabilities of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly the speed and force of muscle contractions Developing strength to support power output, or rate of force development (RFD), is thus crucial. Studies indicate that athletes with higher RFD levels perform better in activities requiring explosive power than those with lower levels.

Factors affecting power development

Several elements influence an athlete’s power capacity:

• Muscle Fibre Type: Sports performance varies with muscle

Power in athletic s is defined as the capacit y to exer t the ma ximum amount of force in the shor test possible time. It is a crucial at tribute across a wide array of spor ts, enhancing per formance in both team and individual disciplines.

composition. Type 1 fibres are more endurance- oriented, while Type 2 fibres support quick, explosive movements, making them ideal for sports like sprinting and weightlifting

• Maximal Strength: Crucial for power, strength is not just about the weight lifted but how quickly and effectively that force can be translated into sports performance.

• CNS Fatigue and Environmental Factors: Overtraining can lead to physical and mental fatigue, reducing effectiveness and increasing the risk of injury.

• Technique: Proper form is critical not only for peak performance but also for injury prevention

Training Strategies for Enhanced Power

Training for power involves more than just following a routine; it requires a strategic approach tailored to the demands of your sport:

1. Strength Training: Engage in exercises using heavy loads (80-100% of maximum capacity) to build foundational strength In some cases,

pushing beyond 100% under supervision can be beneficial

2. Speed Training: Incorporate lighter loads (0-60% of max) performed at high speeds to train muscles for quick, powerful contractions

3 Personalisation: Since every athlete is unique, training regimens should be adjusted based on individual factors such as age, genetics, and physical condition Experiment with different loads and speeds to find what best enhances your performance

Conclusion

Power is a pivotal element in sports that should be prioritised alongside strength, speed, and sport-specific skills Training should focus on movements that are both effective and enjoyable, ensuring that you not only improve your performance but also remain engaged and motivated If you're serious about taking your sports performance to the next level, consider incorporating power training into your regime. Visit us at The Better Body Group to explore how our tailored training programs can help you harness your true athletic potential

q Moe Pangarker is an Exercise Specialist at the Bet ter Body Group. For more information or any questions , please call their friendly and exper t team on 01732 451979 or email them at info@bet terbodygroup co uk

Moe Pangarker, an Exercise Specialist at the Bet ter Body Group, looks at incorporating power training into your fitness regime.

E XP L ORING C AL CIUM: BE YOND MILK F OR BE T T ER HE ALT H

Resident nutritionist Mag dalena Mar vell takes a look at the myth of milk and it ’s calcium benefits.

In the world of nutrition, calcium has long been linked with milk, but recent di scoveries cast doubt on thi s traditional notion Is it tr uly necessary to depend on milk for our calcium needs?

Many of us were broug ht up believing that milk was the ultimate source of calcium, often coupled with vitamin D for better absor ption. However, moder n ins ig hts challenge thi s idea

Contrary to popular belief, consuming large quantities of milk or taking calcium supplements doesn't g uarantee sufficient calcium intake

Instead, opting for a varied diet rich in plant-based foods proves to be a wi ser, more effective approach to bolster overall health.

Our bodies possess remarkable abilities to absorb calcium, even with moderate consumption Thus, s imply consuming large quantities of milk or relying on supplements won't necessarily result in stronger bones

Cons ider vegans, for instance they forgo dairy yet obtain ample calcium from sources like g reen leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds

Plants offer a wealth of nutrients that benefit our health, hig hlig hting the importance of dietary divers ity By incor porating a wide ar ray of plant foods into our meals, we can ensure adequate calcium intake, alongs ide other essential nutrients such as phosphor us and protein cr ucial for bone health

In the domain of sports nutrition, the traditional belief that dairy equates to bone strength i s being challenged

Nature provides numerous alter native sources of calcium, including leafy g reens, broccoli, tofu, nuts, and seeds, which can adequately meet an athlete's needs for optimal perfor mance.

Moreover, excess ive consumption of calcium supplements may have adverse effects, such as an increased ri sk of cardiovascular di sease1/2 Therefore, it's advi sable to focus on obtaining nutrients from whole, natural foods rather than relying on supplements

For athletes seeking to maintain peak perfor mance and strong bones, a dietary shift towards nutrient- rich plant foods i s recommended Let's

Contrar y to popular belief, consuming large quantities of milk or taking calcium supplements doesn't guarantee sufficient calcium intake. Instead, opting for a varied diet rich in plantbased foods proves to be a wiser, more effective approach to bolster overall health.

References

1 ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2 912459

2 pcr m org/good - nutrition/nutritioninfor mation/health - concer ns -aboutdairy/calcium -and - strong-bones

3 ajph aphapublications org/doi/pdf/ 10.2105/AJPH .87.6.992

4 pubmed ncbi nlm nih gov/2 5649239

move away from the milk- centric approach and embrace a plate filled with diverse foods.

In the contex t of osteoporos i s prevention, nutrition plays a cr ucial role in mitigating fracture ri sks

Emphas i s ing a holi stic dietary approach beyond solely increas ing calcium intake i s essential3 Consuming ample vegetables serves as a protective measure, while avoiding sodium - rich junk food and sugary drinks i s vital for bone health4 Similar to managing other health conditions, integ rating foods beneficial for osteoporos i s into a balanced diet i s key. Rather than relying solely on individual supplements, adopting a comprehens ive dietary approach that includes a variety of nutrient- rich foods promotes bone strength and overall well -being

Magdalena Mar vell is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of the Persea Clinic which helps suppor t clients who want to optimise their health in areas such as gut health, weight management , hormonal balance and skin conditions Magdalena also consults from the Children's Wellness Centre in Tunbridge Wells where she offers baby, child and adolescent nutritional suppor t To find out more about Magdalena’s work please visit www.persea.clinic and childrenswellnesscentre co uk/kent/ nutritional- therapy

Healthy recipes with Magdalena - Kale & Lemon Risotto

Kale boasts an impressive calcium content of 250mg per 100g, surpassing whole milk's 110mg Adding extra kale to risotto not only boosts calcium levels but also provides ample vitamin K. Research suggests that vitamin K-rich diets may lower bone fracture risk Kale is abundant in vitamin K, with just one cup delivering 544mcg, surpassing daily recommendations for adults!

Ingredients:

• 150g kale

• 60g unsalted butter

• 1 shallot, finely chopped

• 2 celery sticks, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• Zest of 2 unwaxed lemons

• Juice of 1 unwaxed lemon

• 200g risotto rice

• 100ml dry white wine

• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock

• 50g grated pecorino cheese, plus extra for serving

How to make it:

1. Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the kale and blanch for 1 minute. Drain the kale and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice- cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the kale well.

2 Using a food processor or stick blender, purée the blanched kale until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Set the kale purée aside

3 In a large saucepan, melt 30g of butter over medium heat Add the shallot and celery, and sauté for about 7 minutes until softened

4 Stir in the garlic and half of the lemon zest, and cook until fragrant Add the rice to the pan and toast, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes until the edges of the rice grains become slightly translucent

5. Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer until it has mostly evaporated, about 30 seconds

6. In a separate small pan, heat the chicken or vegetable stock along with 500ml of water over medium heat

7 Over the next 20-25 minutes, gradually add ladlefuls of hot stock to the rice mixture, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding more

8. Once all the stock has been absorbed and the rice is cooked to your desired consistency, stir in the kale purée and heat through

9. Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the remaining 30g of butter and grated pecorino cheese until melted and well combined

10 Season the risotto with lemon juice to taste and garnish with the remaining lemon zest Serve hot, with extra grated pecorino cheese on top if desired Enjoy!

Think you know The White Horse? Think again!

Situated at the heart of the Sundridge community, we’re the perfect spot to meet up with friends and family to enjoy great food and drink in a relaxed, and cosy atmosphere, where we take pride in providing a warm, friendly service to all our customers.

At The White Horse, we're passionate about supporting our local community and offering our customers the freshest, most delicious food and drink around. From juicy burgers and real ales, to afternoon tea and regular events, we are here to welcome you with a smile.

Opening Hours - Bar Mondays: Closed* Tuesday: 3pm - 10pm Wed to Sun: 12pm - 11pm *open Bank Holidays Kitchen Opening Times Wed-Sat: 12pm - 3pm and 5pm - 8pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Please visit www.whitehorsesundridge.co.uk or call Inna on 01959 562444.