News

Reporting on sport from the Middle East and beyond!

Our Sporting Memories Clubs invite a range of wonderful guests from the world of sport along to their sessions, and this was the case last month for our Marden Club when they welcomed sports reporter Trevor Sturgess to their session.

During their session on 11 March, Trevor visited the group to share his recollections from a career in journalism, including covering sports and business.

Trevor shares his passion for Sport

Trevor has had a huge interest in sport through his personal and professional life, having been a keen sportsman in his youth, playing for the first XI’s for his school’s cricket and football teams, before going on to play in local leagues in Tennis and Table Tennis.

It was this passion that eventually led him into covering sports as a journalist. Trevor told the audience of our members how he became a sports reporter in the Gulf state of Bahrain during the 1980s.

He wrote for the weekly Gulf Mirror newspaper, which circulated throughout the Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Trevor eventually returned to the UK and joined the Kent Messenger Group in his home county. After working in general news, he launched its business desk covering all aspects of business for the group’s evening and weekly newspapers. In 1993, he launched what became an award-winning business newspaper - Kent Business. His efforts were rewarded when he was named BT Southern Business Journalist of the Year in 1992 and Kent Journalist of the Year in 1994.

Tales from a life in journalism and giving back

Trevor shared many wonderful stories with our members about his time covering sports, including interviewing the football legend Pele. We’ve included an image above of Trevor with Pele. 

Trevor also was on hand to share further images from his library of pictures taken over the years covering some of the best sporting competitions across the world.

Trevor’s passion for sport was further highlighted when he spoke about his time volunteering as a Games Maker during the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, and his efforts to raise thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation by taking part in the annual London-Brighton Bike Ride for 12 years.

It was an enjoyable session for our members who engaged with Trevor about his stories and career. After the session Trevor reflected: “I loved speaking to the group and hearing their special sporting stories. It’s amazing how stimulating sport can be, triggering memories and emotions from our playing days, favourite teams and competitors. It was a wonderful and inspiring occasion. Everyone made me feel so welcome.”

Sue Eltringham, Club Facilitator at Marden Sporting Memories, commented on Trevor’s visit by adding: “Our Club members at Marden enjoyed hearing from Trevor during his time with us and the many memories he shared along the way.

“It was great to have Trevor discuss so many of his sporting highlights and sharing photos that he had taken – including the one of him and Pele. We would certainly welcome Trevor back at any time and thank him for his visit.”

The Marden Sporting Memories Club takes place every Tuesday at Marden Cricket and Hockey Club between 2:30pm to 4pm. To find out more contact Sue via mardensportingmemories@gmail.com