Stoolball recognised: Have your say

Published Friday 4 April 2008

The decision by Sport England to recognise stoolball as a sport has led to a lot of welcome publicity for the sport in regional press, on BBC radio and television and on the BBC sport website. The Argus, in particular, wants to hear from players what they think the decision means for the sport. We'd like to see as many comments as possible to promote the game.

The Argus covers the Brighton area and published this article on Saturday 5 April:

Ball game's sporting recognition

"A medieval game played by thousands of people in Sussex has finally been recognised as a sport. Stoolball players are celebrating after the Sports Council agreed the game met its criteria. It ends six years of campaigning by many of Sussex's 2,500 players from 180 clubs.

"The game, which has a similar scoring system to cricket, is believed to date back to the 14th century, with matches traditionally held during religious festivals. A round willow bat and wickets made of wooden boards on stakes are used in the game, which is also played by hundreds of people across Surrey, Kent and Hampshire. The National Stoolball Association (NSA) hopes to game's profile will now be raised beyond the South East.

"NSA Chairman John Price, of Kings Road, Horsham, said "We are delighted with our new status, which is the result of six years' hard work. We are hoping the recognition will generate uptake within schools and the creation of many more clubs across the country. Sussex is a hotbed of stoolball talent and is the home of the modern way the sport is played."

"In August 1797, Sussex played Kent in the first recorded meeting between the two counties. A rematch was played in August 1997 to mark the 200 year anniversary of the historic fixture.

"Are you a Stoolball player? What does the Sports Council's decision mean for the sport? Give us your views at www.theargus.co.uk/news."

The article featured a picture of five girls from Angmering Stoolball Club, including Melissa Mantle, the National Stoolball Association's Chief Coaching Examiner and Sport Development Officer. Angmering plays in the West Division of the Sussex County Stoolball Association.