Sporting summer

SPORT across the UK can feel dominated by football – which is not surprising given the prevalence of teams for men and women.

The Olympic and Commonwealth Games can turn the spotlight on a number of other sports – particularly outdoor summer sports – that don’t necessarily make it in the daily media agenda.

The biggest summer sports are, of course, golf, tennis, athletics and cycling.

The summer brings the men’s golf Scottish Open at North Berwick next month followed by the women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald in Ayrshire in August.

The UK opening of the grass court tennis season is generally marked by the annual championship at Queen’s Club – regarded as a warm-up for Wimbledon in the men’s game – but there are a raft of grass court events across the UK ahead of next month’s prestigious Grand Slam event at SW19.

Athletics will also likely dominate the sporting headlines this summer with the para world athletics championships in France next month and the world athletics championships in Budapest in August.

Meanwhile, the Cycling World Championships are coming to Glasgow in August.

This summer there are also international rugby tests at Murrayfield ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France in September and October. The tests normally take place in the autumn but have been moved forward to July and August in preparation for the four-yearly world cup.

All sporting events necessarily are supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers and churches will undoubtedly play a part in all that summer sport has to offer this summer.

Whilst these are the big ticket summer events, summer sport plays its part in church life – from the organised races of church family picnics and fundraising events – to the part they play in holiday clubs.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuing rising costs, churches will again be considering how they can support their local communities.

Through the winter, many offered warm spaces – often ecumenically – where many could gather to reduce the costs of being at home, whilst forging new friendships.

In summer, with long school holidays, parents and grandparents will be looking for ways to keep youngsters entertained and well-fed – from toddlers to teens.

Churches across the country already help in this area with countless examples of church cafes – some offering soft play and essential food – but some also offer support by running holiday clubs. These necessarily were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic but will likely spring up anew this summer to support families in local communities – and many have sport at their heart.

The sport can be active participation – football, athletics, hockey or rugby outdoors – or badminton, tennis or table tennis indoors on damp days, but all can reflect the value of teamwork – like the disciples or the power of faith through the stories of those sporting heroes such as Eric Liddell who put faith at the centre of their discipline.

As better days beckon, sport – whether active or spectating – will play a part in activities and entertainment this summer.