Following a string of successes, Alice Walsh, 25, from Hever, made the reserve for the GB Ladies Team’s recent tour of South Africa (Sept 2022).

And now she’s not only preparing her two ponies Mabel and Margery for the upcoming polo season, but she is working flat out to raise the money she needs to add to her stable.

One of the world’s oldest known team sports, the costs involved in polo – from owning, training and stabling at least four and up to 10 horses and travelling around the world – make it generally inaccessible to anyone other than the seriously rich.

But Alice, who lives with her mum in a rented flat, is determined not to let money – or the lack of it – hold her back.

She was able to buy Mabel and Margery cheaply as they were bred for racing but didn’t grow tall enough and has trained them for polo herself.

“I’m not your typical polo player by any stretch of the imagination,” she said, “as I simply don’t have the funds.

“But I know I’m at the top of my game – and so are Mabel and Margery – so I’m determined to give it my best shot.”

Alice’s love of horses started in childhood  – and her skill at handling them took her to the New Forest Polo School.

A stint in Argentina – whose players are world famous within the sport – then followed and brought the opportunity to work with 10-goal player Sebastian Merlos.

In order to fund her progress through the sport Alice worked in London as an IT consultant after graduating from Warwick University and set up her own business, Lineup Polo, which supports players and clubs worldwide by streamlining tournament management and sharing data for spectators to follow the sport.

“I know how hard it has been – and still is – for me to keep going in this sport,” she said.

“And not only is the business an income stream but it also enables me to encourage other young players – men and women – to take up polo and progress within it.

“It’s my whole world and although it’ not easy, I’m proof that you don’t need to be rich or privileged to enjoy it and succeed.”

A PRISONER turned paddleboarder is to return to gaol – to plant trees. 

David Haze, 37, turned his back on a life of crime after serving a three year stretch for burglary and handling stolen goods at HMP Guys Marsh, Dorset.

Instead, he took to the water in a bid to reconnect with the natural world and has since gained seven world paddleboarding records – and is preparing for his eighth.

On 14 October, he will fly to Reykjavik and on to Egilsstaðir in a bid to cross Iceland’s longest lake, Logurinn, in less than six hours.

And to offset the 322kg of CO2 emissions created by his 3800km return flights, he is teaming up with The Woodland Trust to plant 70 trees in the grounds of HMP Leyhill, Gloucester.

He will plant a variety of species, including alders, common beech, common osier and field maple, in the prison grounds “to create a green space in an environment surrounded by so much failure and negativity to inspire growth, rehabilitation and connect with nature.”

A former forex trader in London, David turned to crime and drugs after losing his lucrative City job, ending up with two stints in prison.

However, after enrolling in a prison reform programme, he turned his life around and he said the decision to plant trees in the grounds of a prison “will give hope to others who are in the same position I was.”

David, from Bournemouth, said: “The great outdoors and nature have completely transformed my life and I hope I can pass this on and help others get through some of the most difficult times in their lives.”

His Icelandic challenge comes hot on the heels of his recent 70m circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight – which was entirely carbon neutral – and is sponsored by leading UK-based environmental technology company Oscar Propulsion.

Its patented unique slitted design on his paddles have enabled him to paddle for longer while reducing the risk of injury.

Duncan Troy, CEO at Oscar Propulsion said: “Having Oscar Propulsion’s blade technology validated by such an inspirational young man is incredible.

“David Haze is a truly remarkable role model and it’s great to be contributing to his adventure and wellbeing.”

As Bluewater continues its rapid growth as a significant global hydration force, Aldridge is now teaming up with the brand that fully aligns with her own commitment to end the use of throwaway plastic bottles. The partnership is geared to last at least two years and will hopefully see the British Sailing Team sportswoman successfully represent Team GB at the 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Under the partnership Ellie will appear at relevant Bluewater events, support Bluewater in its anti-single use plastic bottle messaging via social media and publicity, and showcase Bluewater branding on her training and competition and racing equipment where possible.

Ellie’s status as a one of kite foiling’s most successful international competitors and a pioneer for the sport has been confirmed by a raft of wins in the KiteFoil World Series and other events where she regularly places in the top three.

“Kite foiling is grippingly fast and furious and not for the faint-hearted, but it is also all about enjoying a sport that embraces getting closely involved with the two natural resources of water and wind which makes it deeply connected to the environment and its life giving elements,” said Ellie, with a broad smile. She added that nothing angers her more than seeing the plastic litter that frequently pollutes ocean waters in so many parts of the world where she competes.

Bluewater founder and CEO, Bengt Rittri, said: “As a company that has put ending the need for single-use plastic bottles at the very heart of our business, the new relationship with Ellie Aldridge is a landmark moment for us. At a time as we evolve as a company hydrating people in their homes, workplaces and at public events, festivals and venues, Ellie represents a new, younger generation of sporting athletes who captivate fans with their brilliance, commitment, and love for a healthier planet.”

Bengt added: “With the honours she has already achieved, we believe Ellie is on a path to greatness in a thrilling new sport built on speed, commitment to excellence, and an authentic thirst shared with us at Bluewater to leave the planet a cleaner place for future generations. We cannot wait to build the partnership with Ellie to help in stopping the insanity of a million single-use bottles being produced every minute with most ending up in landfills or the oceans.”

The Athlete Media Group, is a leading sports marketing agency that represents elite British & international athletes with a current portfolio of 48 athletes in 30 sports.

Our athletes are a unique blend of Olympic medallists, world champions, World Cup winners, world record holders, rising stars & retired sports people.

AMG works with these athletes to help them build their personal brands, enhance their media profiles and establish strong business partnerships to support their careers in sport & beyond.

Mark Middlemas, the CEO & Founder of The Athlete Media Group, said: ““I am delighted to partner AMG with the Mighty Oaks.  Sevenoaks RFC is a thriving rugby club with brilliant players at all levels, strong values & a hugely loyal fan base & I look forward to working with Adam Bowman & his formidable team.”

Our AMG team are excited about the partnership & are looking forward to seeing the partnership activation in its many forms in the games that lie ahead.

Orca Sportswear has announced its partnership with leading British female triathlete, Sophie Coldwell.

🥇🏊‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️Coldwell was quickly off to the races in 2022 medaling at WTCS Leeds, Montreal & most recently winning mixed relay Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

🌊💚”We are excited to see Sophie doing so well on the global circuit. Equally impressive is her work off the race course with her commitment to sustainability an inclusion. Core values that align perfectly with our brand initiatives.” Arrate Vidarte Ojanguren, Orca Marketing Director.

👀🔥On Sunday Sophie was on her home turf at Super League Triathlon London where she came an impressive 4th.

#sport #athlete #triathlete #partnership #chasingepic #borninthewater#BeMore

Leading bike specialist Balfe’s Bikes have partnered up with Team GB Track Sprinter & Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist Ryan Owens.

Managed by The Athlete Media Group, Ryan has several medals under his belt (including a recent silver at the Commonwealth Games, 2 UCI World Championships medals and a Silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics) and is now working towards the next steps in his career at the London Business School.

As part of his move to London to study, Ryan was keen to work with a cycling retailer local to his new home and reached out to Balfe’s Bikes to discuss teaming up.

Balfe’s Bikes were more than happy to supply Ryan and his partner Sinead with an Electric Brompton each, as well as support throughout the year, enabling them to ditch their car for good and experience life in the capital by bike.

On working with Balfe’s Bike and choosing the Brompton Ryan says:

“I’m delighted to be teaming up with Balfe’s Bikes going forward. They’re a top bike shop with an excellent range and great staff so I couldn’t think of a better place to get set up for London cycle commuting.

I love a great British design, so when it came to choosing a bike for commuting, I knew from the start I wanted to go with a Brompton. The Electric models just add another dimension to their already iconic design. They’re the perfect bike for my commute to business school, allowing me to arrive at lectures fresh and bring them inside for security.”

Balfe’s Bikes Marketing Manager, Queenie Waterman says:

“It was clear from the start Ryan has a real passion for cycling as a whole and we’re over the moon to have him on board as an ambassador for Balfe’s Bikes. It’s great to see such a high calibre athlete leading the charge in support of the use of more sustainable means of travel and we can’t wait to follow his travels on board his Brompton throughout the year!”

About Balfe’s Bikes: Since Richard Balfe opened the first shop in 2008, Balfe’s Bikes has remained an independent business run by cyclists, for cyclists. With 12 stores and a warehouse and distribution centre near Gatwick Airport, Balfe’s are able to service riders of all levels and disciplines across London, the South East & beyond.

And he hopes to be 100% carbon neutral with all of his equipment – with every single item he carries, uses or wears either fully recycled, recyclable, eco or environmentally friendly.

He will also wear recycled clothes, shoes and natural suntan lotion while sporting sunglasses and a towel made from fishing wires.

Haze will use a bamboo toothbrush and eco-friendly toiletries, eating locally sourced sustainable food and sleeping on beaches during his five-day eco adventure.

However, key to the Great Green Paddle project is a custom-made, totally recycled, 14-foot white SUP board.

Nicknamed Iceberg, it was crafted by a boat engineer and is made from wooden scaffolding, house insulation and boating shrink wrap.

“It’s a work of art, there’s nothing like it, it was created from materials pulled from a skip and it’ll probably be the only iceberg you’ll ever see off the Isle of Wight” he said.

Haze, from Bournemouth, kicks off his top-to-toe environmental challenge on 1  August – to coincide with the Cowes Regatta – and is teaming up with Empower Energy to attempt the world’s first completely carbon neutral environmentally friendly expedition by SUP.

David hopes to raise more than GBP1,000 for Surfers Against Sewage during his solo trip and boost awareness of UK double Olympian sailor Hannah Mills’ Big Plastic Pledge; which asks athletes and their fans to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

A former forex trader in London, the public schoolboy hit hard times after losing his lucrative city job.

He descended into a life of crime and drug taking, went on the run after arrest, twice tried to commit suicide and ended up with two stints in prison for burglary and handling stolen goods.

After enrolling in a prison reform programme, at HMP Guys Marsh, he turned his life around: “For the first time in my life I learned to ask for help and to accept it – I realised my previous lifestyle was unsustainable and my whole outlook changed.”

David took up paddle boarding “for the sense of freedom it gave me” and now divides his time between his sport, working in penal reform, fundraising for charities and mentoring young people.

Since his u-turn he has notched up seven SUP world records and set his sights on adding two more world records to his growing collection later this year.

In late August he heads to Iceland in a bid to paddle across its longest lake, Lögurinn, in the fastest time. Lögurinn covers an area of 84sq km (32sq m) and, to break the record, David, need to cross it in under six hours.

Then, in September, he will attempt to break 33 SUP world records on 33 lakes, across 33 European countries, in 66 days.

Haze, who currently works as a consultant for the Criminal Justice System,

Said: “It’s not all about pursuing world records. I share my story to highlight the importance of reform and rehabilitation and to show others that our pasts and mistakes do not define who we are.”