Sport is a big part of my life, so when my daughter was 2 years old, I began searching for activities that could help build her confidence and introduce her to the joys of physical activity. However, I quickly realised that the options were limited—almost everything seemed to revolve around football. I wanted her to have the chance to explore a variety of sports, to keep her options open, and to develop a love for movement in all its forms. That’s how Roarsome Sport was born.
My own experiences of sport through the years
Growing up, I was always keen to join in PE lessons and I played a bit of netball and football for the school team, but the only sport I did out of school was football in the back garden with my brother. It wasn’t until later in life that I’ve tried loads of different sports, and found a few things I love!
Before COVID and the birth of my daughter, I was big into CrossFit and trained 5 days a week before work. It was brilliant—challenging, empowering, and a great way to stay fit. Since then I’ve converted a shed in the garden into my own mini gym, complete with a rowing machine and an Olympic barbell. It’s not quite the same as being in a CrossFit box, but it means getting in a workout while juggling work and children is at least possible.
My main sport is unicycle hockey—a sport I’ve played for about 15 years. It’s played on unicycles with ice hockey sticks and a tennis ball and usually 5-a-side. It’s as unconventional as it sounds, but it’s incredibly fun and I love the competition. I’ve made some friends for life playing and our weekly zoom calls over COVID definitely made life a bit easier.
I’ve got memories of doing orienteering at school with the old style punches, and about 9 years ago I had another go, this time using modern digital punches. I’ve done my fair share of getting lost over the years, but the combination of running and navigation makes it more interesting than just a regular run. I’ve taken my girls on a few easier courses… sometimes its easy to get around with the running buggy, sometimes not so much!
I love a bike ride, either on or off-road. I used to commute from Derby to Swadlincote four days a week by bike, but now I’m more of a fair weather cyclist! A few years ago I rode up and down Snowdon on a mountain bike. That downhill ride was the longest and most memorable descent I’ve ever done!
The Vision for Roarsome Sport
Roarsome Sport is about giving children the chance to explore different sports, helping them build confidence in their abilities, and making them feel comfortable approaching new physical challenges. I believe that by trying a range of sports, kids can find what they truly enjoy and develop a lifelong love of movement.
Sports offer so many benefits beyond just physical fitness. They teach teamwork, build social skills, and foster sportsmanship. They’re a fantastic way to build confidence and competence in a supportive, fun environment. I want every child who participates in Roarsome Sport to leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved and excited about what they can do next.