Since January the events side of our business has taken off in its own right. SBN members have enjoyed a range of activities where they have been able to build their networks whilst enjoying on-field action, debating key business issues in a round table environment, enjoying our sport/ business master classes and being inspired by seeing first hand the work of our community sport partners. Some of us have even made it onto the golf course! After the energetic success of the Brighton races evening it was time to enjoy a calmer breakfast meeting, hosted superbly by Maggie Kennerley’s team at Brands Hatch Thistle, where 20 plus members were captivated by the talk given by SBN member, and former England rugby centre, Jamie Salmon. Jamie was, and is likely to remain, the only international who has worn the red rose and the silver fearn of the New Zealand All Blacks and he gave a very insightful talk covering some of the behind the scenes incidents after England games with his thoughts on how the business community can learn from sport. It was great stuff and everyone left feeling suitably motivated. Back on the evening circuit around 40 lucky members joined us for the Kent v Sussex T20 match in Tunbridge Wells on a lovely spring evening. Everyone met beforehand in a bar a short walk from the ground, where the Kent Cricket Board presented some of their outstanding community work, as we enjoyed pims and strawberries ( no expense spared here you see!). With former England and Kent fast bowler, and SBN member, Dean Headley in attendance the reflected glory for the SBN was just reward for the work we do! Although Kent lost easily to their Sussex counterparts the SBN was happy as the evening was sponsored by Paul Saunders from Clydesdale Bank, who also happen to have a branch in Sussex and, as we now operate there, we were happy. The highlight of the evening, however, featured SBN legend (as the kids would say) Danny Hill from Adept Telecom. An avowed football man Danny was attending his first T20 game and was “bragging” in the bar that he would catch any big hits that came his way and pocket the TV money that is often given to people in the crowd who catch the ball – he didn’t realise the Sky don’t cover all T20 games – and of course it actually happened. Well, nearly, but not quite. It was all going to script as Luke Wright, Sussex’s England batsman, slogged a huge hit towards the boundary. Up, up and away it went and Danny then realised it was on a trajectory straight towards him. As it came closer the world slowed down and all eyes were on the big man as he positioned himself for the catch of the season. As the ball sailed over the boundary for a huge six Danny reached forward and opened his hands but the ball had other ideas and it bounced agonisingly just in front of him and not only had his moment of glory gone, but it ricocheted up and hit him in the nose! He wiped the blood away quickly and with admirable skill regained his composure and took the deserved applause of the crowd anyway. On a more serious trip Peter Bourne and Julie Anderson joined Charlton Trust Kent boss Alan Dennington and myself on a trip to see one of CACT’s projects in a tough estate in Maidstone. Parking their very expensive cars in dodgy little alley did produce a look of concern from our intrepid SBNers but Alan reassured them they were safe and we carried on. I think it is fair to say that Peter and Julie were very impressed with the way that CACT, in the form of a young 20 year old coach from Maidstone himself, held the attention of a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds who were in danger of exclusion from school as they both learned through sport and enjoyed themselves afterwards. The most telling comment was when Alan said “this is probably the last time they will laugh until the same time next week”. In between rounds of golf (a very dangerous game according to Steve Waggott, the ex CEO of Charlton AFC, as he unfortunately stood in a pot hole and severely twisted his ankle) with various members we have added in a series of round table discussion groups. These are where members come together with the SBN moderating intelligent discussions about the world of community sport and how it can help their businesses. They sure do provoke debate and intrigue, but most importantly they bring people together in a way that is very different to normal networking events. Our most recent breakfast event was held at the East Grinstead sports club which is actually a multi use community sports ground as it hosts top level hockey, cricket and netball as well as boasting a superb 3G Astroturf pitch. Here our members had mixed views on the fact that we deliberately gave them a continental breakfast rather than the same old greasy spoon, although overwhelmingly the feedback was “enough of the bacon and eggs please”. Richard Leman was our speaker and he proudly showed off his Olympic gold medal gained by being one of the GB hockey team that won the top prize in the 88 Olympics in Seoul. I remember where I was when they won, do you? You will, of course, remember Sean Kerly, the prolific goal scorer! Richard was superb as he took us through the emotions of being on top of the world in your field whilst reminding us all that he actually had a job at the time and, like his colleagues, was a pure amateur. Inspiring stuff and the member feedback was brilliant.
| 
