For many, the summer is all about, holidays, ice creams, the beach or travelling in the UK or abroad. However, for hundreds of thousands, summer simply means ‘sporting season.’ From a week at Royal Ascot, a trip to Silverstone, from Wimbledon and from St. Andrew’s to Edgebaston, every summer brings many festivals of many top-class sports to the UK. All of the above is shoe-horned into a few months before football, our national game, starts again to dominate the sports pages.
Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 before this became a Royal Week in 1911. During its history, Ascot has received the support of 12 monarchs. It is a time when race-goers flock to what is a hugely popular event, so that they can see the world’s finest flat horses compete over the famous course.
Silverstone is the home of British Motor Racing and has been the host of the British Grand Prix for many years. It is one of the fastest circuits in the world and will attract over 150,000 spectators on race day. A fact that not many realize is that, the vast majority of Formula 1 teams are based in the UK, with many of these teams not being far away from the historic circuit.
If the month is July, it must be Wimbledon, one of the most famous tennis tournaments in the world and most players’ favorite event. The fact that it is played on grass makes it unique on the tennis calendar.
Every four years, England play Australia in the Ashes. Cricket enthusiasts from across the world look forward to seeing the teams battle it out, for the smallest trophy in sports, across five different test matches, each lasting five days at five different grounds across the country. This year, it is England’s turn to host the Aussies and as somebody who can’t understand how a game is played over five days, yet can still end in a draw, I have enjoyed dipping in and out to watch it live on TV.
At the end of July, we see the Open Championship take center stage. A Golf tournament that every golf professional dreams of winning. It is always played on a ‘links’ course, a seaside course and offers players all sorts of different challenges. We also have the American Open, the French Open and the Italian Open but due to the importance of these events, they are collectively known as The Open, which says everything it needs to say.
The main event of British sports, football. Whether you’re watching the Euros, the World Cup or the Premier League, you are guaranteed to enjoy almost every second of the match you are watching. Football is a sport that I never used to like until about 6 months – a year ago, but now that I love it, I truly understand why it is seen as a religion in the UK instead of just a sport
Personally, as a Manchester United fan I can’t wait for the new season to start, but thankfully we have all of the other summer sports to enjoy and see us all through until August 12th.
My question to you, What’s your favourite sport?
Recent Comments