[Sport] Festival of Sport at Holkham Estate ensures ‘no-one’s left on the bench’

[rlex]

 

“Norfolk is perfect for it,” says England rugby great Austin Healey, after I’ve asked why he and fellow rugby legend, Will Greenwood, have chosen Holkham Estate as the location for this year’s Festival of Sport.  

“I don’t think you can get a more picturesque setting,” he explains. “The access to multi-sports, the ropes, everything about the house and the land and the walled garden – I think there’s something for everyone.” 

As we talk it becomes clear that the phrase ‘something for everyone’ - or Will’s catchier suggestion that ‘no-one’s left on the bench’ – underpins the event. Festival of Sport will run for three days, between Friday, August 13 and Sunday, August 15, and will happen, they both assure me, rain or shine. “We’ve never worried that the weather in any way has a negative impact on the enjoyment our families have,” says Will, “just bring extra kit!” 

It is an opportunity for children and young people aged 5-17 to try their hand at a selection of sports under the guidance of expert coaches, including Olympic medallists and international legends from the world of rugby, hockey, rowing, netball, trampolining, tennis, golf and football, to name but a few. Stars Steve Backshall and Jason Fox will also be there, offering a further chance to get out and get active in the woodland at Holkham’s 25,000 acre estate. 

“The plan is to allow children to try lots of different sports and for mums and dads in downtime to have the opportunity to get involved, too,” says Will. “It’s a sort of learn-it-all approach for all the parents and children, and the phrase ‘no-one’s left on the bench’ is just to say that you do not have to be the next Jess Ennis-Hill.  

“We want them to have fun, we want massive beaming smiles, we want every child to be fast asleep by the time they reach the main road off the estate – that is our definition of a cracking weekend.”