On Track 4 Success caught up with ladies world Footgolf champion and number 1 Sophie Brown who is dominating one of the UK’s fastest growing sports. Find out about her sports story so far…

Sophie tell us about what sports you took part in whilst growing up?
When I was growing up I was very active and attended lots of sports clubs but football for me was the the one which I wanted to push with.

Explain what footgolf is?
Footgolf is a combination of football and golf. You tee off by kicking a size 5 football from the ground and play your next shot when the ball is still and from where it lies.
The aim of footgolf is the same as golf to complete each round and each hole in as fewer shots as possible.

How did you get into footgolf?
I got into footgolf through some friends. I used to play football for Gillingham so spent a lot of time up there and found a small local course. Played socially a few times, watched a friend compete and then people at the competition suggested I tried it and went along and won my first tournament!

How many hours do you train a week?
Over the winter it isn’t possible for me with work commitments and dark evening. But over the summer I try to play a course once a week atleast and then before a competition there is usually a practice day to practice on the course itself, which for me is important to not play a course blind.

What places have you visited thanks to footgolf?
I have played in many places across the world, such as – Japan, California, Las Vegas, Morocco, France, Holland, Italy and more.

What are the key skills required for footgolf?
Key skills I think for footgolf is being able to judge the weight of a shot for distances, and reading the lines around the hole as to how much or little the ball may turn.

What is your biggest success to date?
I had a very successful 2018, I became UK number 1 for the 3rd year running, world number 1 for 2018 but the best success was winning the 2018 World Cup ladies section.

What is your biggest sporting disappointment?
Back to when I was playing football, I got released out on loan from Gillingham, having played for the club for many years I was gutted to be released.

How did you overcome this?
Trained hard at the club I was on loan too, kept my mind focused onto why I love the game.

What advice would you give people looking to be successful in sport or life?
Don’t ever give up, work hard to get the results you want to and work hard to get to where you want to be.

What is your favorite food?
Spagetti bolognese

Describe yourself in three words?
Adventurous
Reliable
Considerate

What is the one thing you could not live without?
My family and friends around me who support me day in day out.

What are your plans for the future?
To hopefully be successful in life, with career and personal life. I also intend to continue in sport hopefully still being able to play the sports which I do now.

What do you define as success?

I would define success as achieving goals which you have set yourself to work towards over either a short or long period of time.