Royal Ascot Cricket Club lift the trophy as local clubs and businesses unite through sport
The 2025 Ascot Community Sports Challenge brought together hundreds of local
people across August and September in a unique inter-sport series designed to unite
local clubs, businesses and community organisations through friendly competition.
Seven teams took part in this year’s series: Royal Ascot Golf Club, Ascot Racecourse, The
Crown Estate, Royal Ascot Cricket Club, Ascot United Football Club, Guards Polo Club
and The Berystede Hotel. Each team hosted an event in their own sport, giving
participants the opportunity to try something new while building friendships and
community spirit.
Events included:
- Relay handicap race at Ascot Racecourse
- Polo target challenge at Guards Polo Club
- Cricket match at Royal Ascot Cricket Club
- Bowls competition at Windsor Great Park Bowls Club
- 5-a-side football at Ascot United Football Club
- Golf challenge at Royal Ascot Golf Club
- (Netball (Berystede Hotel’s event was cancelled due to weather conditions)
The atmosphere throughout the competition was one of camaraderie, inclusion and
good-natured rivalry. The final event at Royal Ascot Golf Club brought all teams together
for a celebration finale, where Royal Ascot Cricket Club were crowned overall winners of
the 2025 Challenge.
“Thanks to the overall organisers for putting the concept together, and for each of the
clubs’ volunteers who supervised their own sports, including some much-needed tuition
in some cases. It was great to play at the range of iconic local sports venues and everyone
in our teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The variety of sports meant we were able
to include some of our youngest members, some of our oldest members and even two
father & son combos. As proud winners of the 2025 Trophy, the Cricket Club look forward to defending it next summer.” Mark Wiggett, Chairman of Royal Ascot Cricket Club
“The final event at Royal Ascot Golf Club was a truly special moment — seeing so many
local people and organisations coming together in good spirit captured exactly why we
created this event,” said General Manager Stephen Nicholson of Royal Ascot Golf Club.
“This year saw even more teams and wider participation, with men and women of all ages
getting involved. Community sport is alive and well in Ascot, and this event proves what
we can achieve by working together.”
“The competition gave many at The Crown Estate the opportunity to see both familiar
faces and meet new friends in a relaxed and fun environment. It was great to see the
Ascot sports and business communities coming together in such a way,” said Nicholas
Day, Head of Engagement and Events at The Crown Estate.
The Challenge was jointly organised by Jacqui Greet of Ascot Racecourse alongside Lisa
Trodd and Stephen Nicholson of Royal Ascot Golf Club. Although no charity partner was
involved in 2025, organisers are considering the introduction of a fundraising element in
future years.
The Ascot Community Sports Challenge will return in summer 2026, and new clubs,
teams, and local organisations in the Ascot area are warmly invited to take part.