Friends sorted, now Romans and countrymen (and women)

Over the last week, I have managed to convince over 30 of my English friends to become founding members of the English Sport’ers Club , though not without the usual question, ‘where’s the catch?’ I suppose the reply, ‘it is usually off an English bat ‘did not help matters, especially as we are all supposed to be about positivity in this club.

Our first regional partner and two national NGBs have signed up as well. On the national basis, we have received the support of English Lacrosse and Baseball Softball UK, who will be emulating the example of Welsh NGBs in offering the opportunity to their members. Since last September, 43 other NGB contacts have been informed, since last September, only five of them actually bothered to register and have a look at the scheme.

On a regional basis, the West of England Sports Trust has signed up and we are doing a launch at The Thistle Hotel, Bristol on the 30th January. If you are in the Bristol area and want to come along please e-mail me.

So with the friends bit done, now to the Romans and Countrymen (women) part.

Well, I have sent a letter to the only Roman I know involved in British sport. A note to Mr Abramovitch inviting him to take advantage of the free membership and discounts on DVDs etc, which I am sure he will find useful, was dispatched today. Information on anymore Roman’s in British sport, gratefully received.

So now down to the countrymen (and women) bit.

I guess it is all a matter of trying to fight through the cynicism and apathy to persuade people to spend less than a minute to pledge their support for English sport. Even with an avowed ‘no spam’ policy (apart from the welcome e-mail) and that the scheme is supported by UK Sport through its funding of the Welsh Sports Association, suspicion persists about signing up.

My attempts so far to widen the publicity have been limited to an appearance on the BBC 606 Message Boards and an e-mail to the Simon Mayo programme, the two citadels of whingeing and negativity that prompted my actions in the first place. This prompted negligible response so far. Luckily an appearance on the Brighton fans website, prompted a greater respeonse.

Undeterred this next week will see a shift in gears and a bit of an onslaught with the media, which turns into a really unwanted ‘look at me’, look at me’ type journey, which I really detest but am having to contemplate.

As I finish this entry, I notice that England are getting another thrashing in the cricket, prompting another outburst of whingeing and comments. If it makes people feel better fine, but, so does a vibrant sporting scene, and honestly is less than one minute of your time too much to ask?

Cheers
Billy