Wenhaston Archive Project History Notes

History Note No.17: Sport

History Note No.17: Sport
Athletics, Bowls and Football: it's a 'Sporting Life' in Wenhaston

Athletics. Mark Procter, a shot putter, represented his country in the European Cup 1998, Commonwealth Games 2002 and 2006, and the Olympic Games 2000. He lived in Narrow Way, Wenhaston.

Bowls. Club formed in 1932 and started playing on Rectory land in 1934. In 1996 moved to new location by the village Playingfield.

Football. First mention of a very old type of football in 1644 when Thomas Ambler, the priest, was accused of allowing the young men of the village to play the game on church land on Sunday afternoons.
The football club "Wenhaston Rovers" was first formed in 1898.
Now Wenhaston United they have achieved success in winning Division 2 in Ipswich and Suffolk League in 1990/91 and winning the Suffolk Junior Cup in 1995. Since 1995 the Club has had mixed fortunes being relegated and promoted in equal measure. In January 2009 they were second in Division One, and in the previous season reached the semi final of the Suffolk Junior Cup.

Sports Club. Opened in September 2003 and comprises a hard all weather tennis court and another with markings for tennis, netball and basketball.

Other sports. Carpet Bowls, Badminton and Table Tennis in Village Hall.
There was a Rifle Club 1912 - 1916.