logo
Brighton woman recognised for inspiring growth of walking football

Brighton woman recognised for inspiring growth of walking football

BBC News30-05-2025
A walking football coach whose East Sussex team attracts more than 50 women has been hailed as a "lynchpin" in helping to grow the sport.Vanessa Hood founded Brighton & Hove Socialball in 2022 for what she describes as a "lost generation" of women missed out on playing football.While only a handful of players attended the first sessions, the twice weekly sessions in Portslade now attract more than 50 participants.As a result, Ms Hood has received an award from the Walking Football Association (WFA) for her role in growing the sport, particularly among women over the age of 40.
The 51-year-old began playing football with her father when she was young, but said she did not have the opportunity to play at school."Like many women of my generation, I couldn't play at secondary school or with a local club," she said."I'm so pleased it's different for girls now. Playing walking football allows women of my age to make up for lost time."The national grassroots award recognises the efforts she has made to build the team – all on a voluntary basis.In announcing the winners, the WFA described Ms Hood as a "lynchpin" in increasing the number of people taking part in the sport.Ms Hood said she was "humbled" by the recognition.She added: "This award is as much for the members of the club as it is for me."We like to play well and improve our game, but the most important thing is everyone has fun and enjoys the wonderful game of football."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dina Asher-Smith sets championship record to seal 200m title at British nationals
Dina Asher-Smith sets championship record to seal 200m title at British nationals

The Independent

time24 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Dina Asher-Smith sets championship record to seal 200m title at British nationals

Dina Asher-Smith produced a championship record and pipped Amy Hunt to gold in the women's 200m at the UK Athletics Championships. The 29-year-old held off a fightback from 100m UK champion Hunt and got her head beyond the line a thousandth of a second before her rival, with Daryll Neita third in Birmingham. Asher-Smith led round the bend but Hunt looked to overtake the three-time Olympic medallist - but the line came just in time for Asher-Smith. There was a nervous wait before the stadium announcement revealed she took the crown with a time of 22.14 seconds. Asher-Smith said: 'It was an excellent race, we needed a photo-finish because neither of us knew who had won. 'I have done this for long enough to know the only thing that matters is the Championships and Tokyo round-by-round, so I mind my own business and focus on myself. I am in great shape, and there are a few things in there that I can still tweak, so I am happy.' Asher-Smith's time would have been enough for her to get bronze in Paris last year, showing the upward trajectory of her performance, and she believes she is in a good place ahead of the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. She added: 'I've been in great shape for quite a long time but it's about being in a good place that makes sense to you. It's a really strong place to be ahead of a championship.' Georgia Hunter Bell added another UK title to her collection with victory in the 800m. She had to work hard for her title though, facing competition from Jemma Reekie - who finished second - and it was not until the final 150m that she got her nose in front, crossing the line in 1:59.53 to claim gold. Hunter Bell runs in both the 800m and 1500m races but has still not made a decision on which discipline she will pick at the Tokyo games. She explained: 'I am not going to make the decision until after I have run my next Diamond League 1500 and 800, so I have a bit of time to think. 'The cons are that I am probably in better shape over 800 on the world stage, but the 1500 is first - it is hard to decide.' Asked whether she thinks she can beat Keely Hodgkinson, who may run in the same race in Tokyo next month, she added: 'I don't know. 'We train together all the time. But she's such a good athlete and it will be the first time we've raced where we're kind of close.' Paris 2024 silver medallist Josh Kerr earned an emphatic victory in the men's 5000m final. He was always one of the most prominent in the field and he started to stretch out the pack alongside Rory Leonard, who sprinted clear from the pack. However, Kerr claimed the lead with two laps to go and did not look back, leaving his opponents to finish in 13 minutes 23.78 seconds. Jack Kavanagh and Leonard were second and third respectively. He said: 'It was always going to be tough out there over the last mile but I really enjoyed the first eight laps. Elsewhere, Amber Anning won the women's 400m final in front of Victoria Ohuruogu and Charlie Dobson claimed gold in the men's race. Zharnel Hughes completed a double gold, setting a new championship record as he won the men's 200m just 24 hours after winning the 100m. He dedicated his 100m gold to his late aunt, whose funeral took place in Anguilla this weekend, and which he was forced to miss in order to compete in Birmingham.

Chelsea sign Ajax defender Hato for £37m
Chelsea sign Ajax defender Hato for £37m

BBC News

time25 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Chelsea sign Ajax defender Hato for £37m

Chelsea have completed a £37m deal to sign Ajax defender Jorrel 19-year-old has finalised a seven-year contract with the Blues after a medical in London over the Netherlands international has become the eighth signing of the summer transfer window for the Fifa Club World Cup champions."I'm very excited, I'm so happy to be here," said Hato. "I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I'm very happy." More to follow.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store