Opinion:Peterborough’s sporting prowess is something we should all be proud of
TV viewers across the country were dazzled by Jake Jarman’s acrobatic skills as he won an unprecedented four gold medals in high school.
Although unknown to many outside the Peterborough area, Jarman’s promise and reputation was well known locally to Peterborough Telegraph readers who have read of his skills for several years.
The Gunthorpe-based athlete is a worthy successor to former AMVC student Louis Smith, who won silver medals in gymnastics at the Olympics and gold at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
Jarman comes from a talented family, his father Tony was a talented middle distance runner for Peterborough AC in his youth.
Another former Jack Hunt student, Lee Manning, was introduced to wheelchair basketball in a 2005 school taster session. He got into the sport like a fish in water and his rise has been meteoric. Manning won his first major medal, bronze, at the 2006 European Under-22 Championship.
The basketball star, who has won gold medals at the European and World Championships, has also won Paralympic bronze medals from 2016 and 2020. He represented England at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, winning bronze in the fast and exciting new sport of 3×3 basketball. He also plays professionally in Spain for BSR Amiab Albercete.
Yaxley’s Nicky Brett is a serial gold medalist at the World Indoor Bowls Championship and has won five gold medals since 2016.
The bowling ace won two medals at the Commonwealth Games, including gold in the treble.
Peterborough Sports FC’s rise up the football pyramid has captured the imagination of Peterborough fans. The Turbines have risen from the Peterborough League to the 6th tier of English football in just 10 years.
With Posh currently leading League One, Peterborough now has two successful senior football clubs.
Hugely successful cricket club Peterborough Town have won the Northants League for the last three seasons and have welcomed many up and coming players to their ranks, including current England international Dawid Malan. They have also developed a support band for local young cricketers.
Rising shot putter Lydia Church is making an appearance at the Paralympics and winning silver at the 2021 European Championships.
Boasting many other leading competitors, Peterborough has a proud reputation as a city that develops and nurtures its own sporting talent.
The Embankment Athletics Arena is a jewel in Peterborough’s sporting crown, but there have recently been suggestions from the council that this well-established and well-equipped city center facility could be demolished and reopened elsewhere. And that despite the excellent location next to the new university.
Hopefully this idea will go nowhere and our city will continue to celebrate its sporting achievements while maintaining and improving where possible existing facilities.