I am determined to drive down the age demographic of Rotary Club, to give Rotary Club a new identity that reflects the changing dynamics of today’s world. A new Rotary that shares the same ideals with Rotary International, is endorsed and will be chartered by Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, but a new one that cuts across the geographical divide.

It is instead, a Rotary Club that brings people of like minds together, people who have a common and mutual interest. These are people who will be able to relate with issues, events and activities that resonate with the wider community, and use these to connect with selfless charitable service.

Rotary Sport International. That’s what I am on about!

And guess what, this soon-to-be global sub-arm of Rotary International will soon join the ranks of those global brands that actually started here...in Basingstoke!

So, what is Rotary Sport International? It is a club that would bring together people from around the world to identify with the ideals and objectives of the overall Rotary International brand, but with a theme of sports.

The idea is to ensure that all members feel a sense of belonging, share a common passion and interest in contemporary sport, support each other and socialise in the sports space, whilst also using sports to touch and change lives of the underprivileged in the community, through the power of Rotary.

I have a burning desire to build Rotary. I love to support humanity. And I love sports - football being my bread-and-butter for nigh on 30 years now. I also found that people, these days, want a club where they can be active, can have a bit of a laugh whilst enjoying what they normally enjoy doing; yet be able to make a meaningful contribution to humanity through charitable acts.

This is what Rotary Sport will give - an outlet for members to meet and share great sporting experiences - visiting our local football club, our local rugby club, attending FA Cup or international football in Wembley, international rugby in Twickenham; Wimbledon tennis, test cricket at the Oval, and so on....under the aegis of Rotary.

As our charitable fund will grow, we will offer sporting experiences to these places to the underprivileged in our communities, young carers who need to be rewarded for their selflessness. On the international scene, we will provide equipment and infrastructure to needy communities in the outside world, offering a chance for our members to be a physical part of our acts of benevolence.

We are in the process of engaging with what we call RSI Global and Regional Ambassadors - great sports stars that we are speaking to, and who will proudly want to be associated with the Rotary brand.

Amongst ourselves as members of Rotary Sport, in our partner schools, partner clubs and partner associations, we will continue to fly the flag of Rotary whilst also enriching a wide community of sports followers and operatives all over the world.

Our meeting places will be unique, and we will organise events that are sports-themed amongst our schools and our corporate partners.

If you share my passion from the above, it won’t hurt to try it out.

If you are already a sports lover, then not much will change if you try us out. If anything, you will meet great people who share your passion for your chosen sport, and your knowledge, vision and contact base will be amplified further.

If you hear some of the names of our potential ambassadors, belonging to our club will fill you with pride!

So, what are you waiting for? You are the first to hear of it. When it grows (not if), you will be one of the earliest members of this growing phenomenon that will be...Rotary Sport International.