Blackburn woman on a mission to rekindle interest in rounders (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn woman on a mission to rekindle interest in rounders

3:30pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

SARAH Harwood is on a one-woman quest to spread the word of rounders.

Her aim is to set up a local league and is in the process of getting as many players interested as possible.

Sarah has joined the rounders set-up at Blackburn Community Sports Club and is holding weekly training sessions.

Now she is appealing to woman like her to rekindle their primary and secondary school days and take up the sport again.

“I hadn’t played it since primary school but suddenly had the urge to play rounders again and it is a brilliant sport,” she said.

“It’s a great way to keep fit, make new friends and play a competitive sport if that is what you want to do.

“I found out they were playing rounders at Blackburn Community Sports Club and Ian Jones and Nigel Dixon at the club have been very supportive.”

Sarah has already attended a training course run by the sports’ governing body and is now one of the first Rounders England Activators based in Lancashire.

She is currently holding sessions at Pleckgate High School on Saturdays (12-1pm) and evening sessions at Blackburn Community Sports Club on Thursdays (7-8pm).

This follows popular sessions she held at St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Darwen which attracted up to 40 players.

“It has all been by word of mouth and I have mainly got friends and family to come along and try it and it has gone really well,” she added.

“I realised I might be on to something so my ultimate goal is to set up a league in the area.”

Sarah believes rounders could appeal to those who want to get back in to sport but perhaps are put off by more strenuous team sports such as netball and hockey.

“We want to play competitive rounders but the real emphasis is on getting fit and having a bit of fun,” she said. Don’t get me wrong, when you play a game of rounders, you know about it but it is not as none stop as sports like netball.”

Sarah has been delighted with the response she has had and is now hoping to set up a Blackburn and Darwen Rounders League next year.

She wants to attract enough players to form five teams – the minimum number of teams required to set up a league as stated by England Rounders.

“The nearest rounders league is in Preston and if it comes to it, we will for a team to play in that league.

“But ideally, it would be fantastic if we could form our own league in this area.”

The team has already played its first matches in a recent charity event by Crompton Ladies and Shaw Magpies.

However, Sarah says the club is not just for those who want to play competitive rounders.

“We welcome players of all abilities and it doesn’t matter if they haven’t played before or just want to turn up to keep fit rather than play in a league.

“Either way we would just like to see more women playing the game.”

• For details, contact Sarah Harwood on 07764 600914.