97 year old David Green tells us how sport played a huge part in his life

Sport is a vital part of a fulfilled life for many people, including 97 year old former Athletics coach David Green.

Sporting events across the country might have been cancelled because of Covid-19, but David is just one of many residents living at Willow Gardens care home in Yateley very much looking forward to the Summer of Sport tournament launching this week.

David, said: 

The 50 years I was coaching Athletics, were the most rewarding thing that I have ever done. I enjoyed every minute of it.

David was a member of Newham and Essex Beagles Athletic Club, one of the leading athletics clubs in the UK, which counts Mo Farah as one of its prominent members. 

He coached young athletes middle distance running and triple jump for over 60 years, working with them ahead of 2012 Olympics in London. 

David continues:

Coaching at Newham and Essex Beagles Athletic Club were the best years of my life, and I have very proud memories of my time there.

Over the years he has coached 2,000 youngsters, and seen generations of athletes come and go, he is now President Emeritus of Newham and Essex Beagles. 

In the last few months I’ve really missed being able to watch sport on TV, so I’m looking forward to it getting back to normal and watching athletics and Arsenal games. The Summer of Sport events should be great fun, and I wish I was younger so I could be more active!

The Summer of Sport will be held from Monday, 20 July to Sunday, 26 July – the same week when the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would have been held. 

The tournament will see residents at Willow Gardens taking on daily one-minute sporting challenges in disciplines such as basketball, cricket, football, table tennis, golf and rugby. The care home has been provided with sports equipment specially adapted for people living with dementia, ensuring all residents are able to participate.

Shelley Young, Deputy Manager of Anchor’s Willow Gardens care home, said: 

Exercise is so important for everybody including older people. Our residents still like to remain active and stimulated. They have missed watching sports on TV during the pandemic and are happy to be taking part in the Summer of Sport events.

Here at Willow Gardens, we like to keep residents active by dog walking around the grounds and doing armchair exercises.

Residents will be in friendly competition with other care homes across the country for coveted trophies which will be awarded during a special closing ceremony, co-ordinated across all care homes, on Sunday 26 July.

Although many sports now have to be played without spectators, staff at Willow Gardens will be there to cheer residents on.  

For more information about Willow Gardens, contact 0800 731 2020.