I am very excited….very excited that before the turn of the year, we managed to get Rotary Sport started, and operating. That is wonderful, and I owe this achievement (our Charter and commencement of operations) to District Governor Debbie Dunford of Wessex District 1110 and my leadership advisory council.

But also today, in the spirit of the season, it is important to remember the ideals for which we also are a part of this global organisation.

I was reading through some words of wisdom a few days ago, and I got drawn to the principle of the Hedonic Treadmill, and how Rotary can be a way off this belt.

While many of us still hustle and look to amass wealth, and do things, buy things and go to great places on vacation, we find that the more we achieve, the more we amass, the more we continually find our need to amass more. Basically our needs grow and hence we do not feel happy, nor do we find happiness.

What I have found, though, is that through the art of giving, giving back, putting a smile on people’s faces, watching young sports talent express themselves through whatever modest act I can carry out, gives more satisfaction and sense of fulfilment than amassing wealth or material possessions.

This is why I love the beauty of Rotary, and the brilliance of Rotary Sport. That we can use the power of sport to make people happy, to change people’s lives, and to connect and network with one another in the name of Rotary, promoting well-being amongst ourselves and spreading the good message to humanity through sport….is just magical.

As we wind up the year and seek to welcome in a new one, let us spare a good thought for our sports stars in the making, whose stories we can have a big hand in writing by our acts and actions in Rotary Sport.

And let this serve as my invitation to the reader here, to join me as we aim to build Rotary Sport. Be our member, and let us use the power of sport to change the world.