Dramatic dolphin rescue leads to great publicity for Hastings Rounders

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for three members of Hastings Rounders.

Following a dramatic rescue of a dolphin on the beach at Rock-a-Nore in Hastings on December 29, Amy Walker, Carrie Warrior and Sarah Gale have appeared in newspapers, across the internet, on the radio and even on the Asda supermarket Facebook page.

But it was not just the dolphin rescue that made it into the news as the team were keen to make sure Hastings Rounders was mentioned at all times.

Quoted in the Telegraph, Carrie said: “It took more than 20 minutes of both of us manoeuvring the dolphin before we were able to turn it and finally release it. It was definitely a two-woman job, but then we are always a team at Hastings Rounders!”

Talking to Amy, the chairperson of Hastings Rounders, about the press coverage they have received she said: “It feels like we grabbed on to the dolphin’s tail and have been riding it. It is so amazing to have that exposure.

“We are all so passionate about rounders and have seen how much it has impacted people who have played and we want to get that message out to as many people as possible.

“I would love it if people heard it or read it and then looked up Hastings Rounders or even set up a rounders team where they live.”

Hastings Rounders, which has received funding from Active Sussex, was established in 2022 to further the accessibility of the sport of rounders, particularly amongst women of all ages, ethnicities, beliefs, sexualities, abilities and incomes, in the area of Hastings, East Sussex.

Ross Joannides, strategic relationship manager at Active Sussex, said: “Active Sussex were keen to support Hastings Rounders as they showed a passion and commitment to supporting more women to be active in a fun, welcoming and safe environment.

“They have identified women with financial barriers and those living with long term health conditions and supported them to overcome those challenges so they can partake in the game of rounders.

“Hastings Rounders have also shown a keen willingness to work with key local partners to become constituted and put the necessary policies and procedures in place to be able to receive the funding and grow the group significantly in just three months.

“This has also allowed Hastings Rounders to offer the opportunity to play to as many local women as possible and explore additional funding opportunities.

“Active Sussex are looking forward to working closely with Hastings Rounders in 2023, as they look to expand into other areas of East Sussex.”

You can read more about the rescue on the Sussex World website, on the Scuba Diving Magazine website, on the Daily Mail website, on Yahoo News, on ITV Meridian, on Radio 2 with Davina McCall (at 12 minutes, 30 seconds), and on BBC Sussex radio (at 2 minutes, 20 seconds).

Click here to find out more about Hastings Rounders and how to join.