National Sporting Heritage Day takes place on Tuesday 30th September. The day is your opportunity to take part in sporting heritage activities across the country and to celebrate the impact sports heritage has on all our lives.
#NSHD2025 #CollectionsAtRisk
Rewriting Sport and the British, Book Launch and Seminar
29th September 2025, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and Online
National Sporting Heritage Day – In conversation with Roger McStravick
30th September, 7-8pm, The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews, £10
R&A World Golf Museum
We will delve into the life and times of Allan Robertson and Roger’s new book with the late Bill Williams about the St Andrews legend.
Allan Robertson, born in St Andrews in 1815, was golf’s first great champion, taking the title in 1840 and holding it for 19 years. Known as the ‘King of Clubs,’ his influence shaped the game, from technique to equipment, long before his apprentice Tom Morris rose to fame. Revered across classes, kids mimicked his swing, and his photo hung in homes and clubs. In 1858, he shot a record 79 on the Old Course, but passed away the following year at just 43. His death led to the founding of The Open.
History broadly forgot about Allan… until now. His story is a remarkable one. On the night we will discover who the real Allan Robertson was. Join award-winning golf historian Roger McStravick as he explores the legacy of Allan Robertson and his vital role in golf’s early history.
Catching History: Celebrating 25 years (and more) of the Scotland Women’s cricket team
30th September, 5-6pm Webinar via Zoom
Join Bayfirth Research and Cricket Scotland as they celebrate the launch of a new research report into the history of women’s cricket in Scotland, focused on the period when the first official Scotland Women’s team was set up in 2000. Why did this take place? Where did it come from? What impact did official recognition as an international side have on the women who were playing at the time? The Catching History project, funded by Sporting Heritage, has explored these questions and more, via oral history interviews and focus groups with some of the key figures involved.
Dr Raf Nicholson (Bournemouth University) will be in conversation with the author of the report, Dr Fiona Reid (Bayfirth Research CIC) and Nicola Wilson from Cricket Scotland, and we will hear from Scotland cricketers of the time. There will be plenty of time for questions as we outline our key findings so far – and what we hope comes next in our ambition to document and celebrate the long history of women playing cricket in Scotland.
Historic Pools of Britain – City Baths Newcastle
30th September, 10.30am – 4.15pm, from £20
City Baths Newcastle. Historic Pools of Britain
On Tuesday 30 September we’ll be hosting our next HPB event at The City Baths, Newcastle. This will place particpants at the centre of the restoration story that began in 2012 when it was announced that the Baths would be closed. We’ll hear about the community-led response, the campaign that followed, the breakthrough moments and the work that was undertaken to restore the building as it is today. And part of this exploration will include the chance to enjoy a Turkish Bath and swim session. The day will also include lunch and refreshments.
Castle House Museum, Dunoon
30th September, 3-6pm, Free
Kick off National Sporting Heritage Day with free football themed fun for all the family at Castle House Museum!
Discover local footballing history by following our interactive ‘Fitbaw History Hunters’ trail around Castle Gardens. Learn more about pioneering Scottish women in football and make your own themed craft. And for the adults – reminisce by taking a peek at local team photos from the Museum archive and help put names to faces.
The History of Sport in An Garda Síochána – Talk by Jessica Phelan, Garda Museum.
30th September, 6pm, Dublin City Libary and Archive, Free
As part of the Dublin Festival of History, Garda Museum invite you to this special talk by Jessica Phelan. Almost immediately following the establishment of An Garda Síochána in 1922, Garda teams of hurling and football began dominating the Dublin GAA scene. However, sport and athletics in An Garda Síochána was not encouraged by the force as a mere pastime. It was a precise method utilised by Garda Commissioner Eoin O’Duffy to enhance the discipline, comradery and community engagement within a new police force.
This talk will look into the years 1922–1939, and offer some insight into the physical culture that emerged within An Garda Síochána. It will explore how and to what extent An Garda Síochána supported its athletes and how it endeavoured to organise and fund the different sports played by its members.
Bramley Baths, Leeds – Community Heritage Day
30th September, 2:30pm – 5:00pm, Free
Leeds Schools Swimming Gala Bramley Baths
Did you swim at Bramley Baths in the famous Leeds schools swimming galas? Or learn to roller skate on the covered pool? Did you take part in the wrestling, football or card tournaments over the years? We want to hear from you and capture your story – and if you have any memorabilia we would love to see it!
So dig out those certificates, badges, medals and photos and join us on National Sporting Heritage Day – to celebrate the impact sports heritage has on our lives and communities. We’ll be joined by People’s History of Leeds to capture your stories and help us build our heritage led project
NSHD School Themed week – St Hugh’s School, Woodhall Spa, Lincs
While National Sporting Heritage Day occurs on September 30th each year, why not use it as a spring board for a wider exploration of your sporting past, and sport in your community. St Hugh’s School in Woodhall Spa are hosting a full NSHD school assembly followed by week long programme of activity to support promotion and understanding of National Sporting Heritage Day, and engage their pupils in a celebration of the sporting heritage of the school, and that of the surrounding community.
The Real Game – Tennis in the South West before 1850
1st October, 6:30pm, Museum of Bath at Work, £10 Admission on the door
Early Painting of Real Tennis
A Talk by John Newman, President of Bristol Real Tennis Club. Hear how various forms of tennis were played in many places in the South West long before the arrival of Lawn Tennis in the 1870s.
Much is known about some, others remain mysterious. The stories of some of these historic sites from pub yards to abbey courtyards will be discussed and illustrated.
Heart of Midlothian FC – Live Transcribathon!
2nd October, 6 – 9pm, Free
Join us at the Hearts Museum on Thursday 2 October 2025, 6–9pm, as we celebrate National Sporting Heritage Day with a special Live Transcribathon!
This year’s theme, Collections at Risk, focuses on the preservation of our earliest Club minute books (1896–1898). Volunteers will help transcribe digitised copies of these fragile records, uncovering what Hearts Directors were discussing in the Club’s early years. No experience is needed – all materials, guidance, and refreshments will be provided. The event is free, but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.
Get involved
In the build up to National Sporting Heritage Day on September 30, we want to hear about your planned events and activity, but you can also get involved on the day itself by sharing your sporting heritage on social media using #NSHD2025
To stay up to date with what’s happening: Follow us: Twitter @sportinghistory Facebook @sportingheritagecic Instagram @sportingheritagecic LinkedIn @SPORTINGHERITAGE
Planning an event or do you have a sporting story to tell?
If you are planning an event this year or have a sporting heritage story that you would like to feature in our National Sporting Heritage Day campaign, please get in touch with [email protected]
