Nothing brings people together (or sets them apart) quite like sport. The atmosphere in places like Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium and Twickenham Stadium prickles with excitement and tension, as fans take to the edge of their seats to attentively watch their beloved teams do them proud. There’s truly nothing quite like it.
Few things bring Brits together quite like the international sporting tournaments that take place every summer. Many of us have fond memories of eating strawberries and sipping G&Ts in Wimbledon, or enjoying pints in front of the big telly of our local pubs – which is almost always broadcasting some sporting event or another.
Sport has been an integral part of British culture for centuries. Often, when we think about Britain’s cultural heritage, our minds are drawn to various bards and playwrights (Shakespeare, Chaucer, Lord Byron etc.) or the monarchy. We overlook the fact that many globally popular sports – including cricket, rugby and football – are British exports. In fact, The Football Association was founded in England in 1863 and cricket’s origins may well date back to 13th-century England.
In more recent history, the England women’s football team brought home a long-awaited win at the UEFA Women’s European Championship in a 2-1 victory against Germany. This was the first senior association football team of either gender to win a major tournament since the men’s team won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. With the women’s FIFA World Cup already in motion – and the final set for 20th August – The Joy Club are ready to get members into the sporting spirit.
They have two-time Olympic champion Katherine Copland sharing her inspirational stories on life as an elite athlete and finding purpose post-retirement. What’s more, to get their community in the sporting mood, they will be sharing exclusive performances of some classical songs that have made their way into the arena – all performed live and recorded exclusively for their members’ ears.
If you would like to get into the sporting spirit this August, sign up to become a member of The Joy Club, where you can enjoy Olympian Katherine Copland’s live online event as well as some wonderful classical performances.
Check out our sport-themed events by taking a look at our calendar of live online events…