The Don
13
Jackie Groenen (middle)
had a superb world cup this
summer, reaching the final
and being nominated for goal
of the tournament
WORLD CUP WOMBLES
As we look forward to the imminent Rugby
World Cup, it is worth reflecting on what an
amazing year or so it has been for English
sport. The national football side reach-
ing the semi-finals of the World Cup last
summer and the recent glorious triumph
in the cricket world cup on home soil. What
can the rugby team do to round off 2019 in
celebration?
What’s this got to do with OWs (other than
the bar being full as England progress in
tournaments)? I hear you ask. Well, quite a
bit actually.
When England lifted the Cricket World
Cup trophy this year, it became the first
country to have won the ultimate prize
in the 3 most widespread team sports
played across the globe. This may never be
equalled and is an incredible achievement.
It demonstrates the UK’s love affair with
sport but also how it places equal impor-
tance on each of the 3 main disciplines;
cricket, rugby and football….we’re good at
all of them unlike any other country in the
world and we should be immensely proud
of that.
This brings me to round to our own little
piece of England…..Coombe Lane and the
Old Wimbledonians, of course.
In our own small way, we perfectly repre-
sent the country’s love affair and sporting
achievements as we are also good at
cricket, rugby and football and are one of
an elite number of clubs in the vicinity to
be able to boast that at senior level. Even
or old rivals KCS can only manage 2 at Old
Boys level; we won’t mention Old Ruts!
The point is that many schools in the area
operate in all 3 sports and their Old Boys’
clubs may run healthy junior schemes but
it all falls apart when it gets to being adults.
This is certainly not the case at the OWs
and also something for which we should
be proud and continue to develop. Our
rugby section has a rich history and while
we seek to restore those halcyon days
with the Warriors project, the football and
cricket clubs are continuing to fly the flag
with pride and power.
great tournament, scoring in the semi-final
but more importantly is the niece of our
very own Harry, who supported her all the
way.
The OWs get everywhere!
Can we also emulate the ladies’ success
however?
We will be sending out a survey to club
members to get feedback from all our
members. In what direction would you
like to see the club expand? Should female
sport be on the agenda, for example?
It’s your club, make sure you have your
say and help us to be even greater like the
country in which we live.
Let’s continue to support all our sections in
our quest to become the most established
and successful all-round sports club in the
area.
Even the Women’s Football World Cup links
back to the OWs. Not the English ladies’
great performance but actually one their
rivals and finalist, Holland. The Dutch team
contained one Jackie Groenen, who a had a
Our very
own Harry with
his superstar
cousin
www.oldwimbledonians.com