North Kent College supports Sporting Heritage Day with a blast from the past

North Kent College proudly supported National Sporting Heritage Day, which focused on the wealth of sporting heritage found in the UK. It is possibly one of best-kept secrets that netball was first played right here in Dartford in 1895 at the Bergman Österberg Physical Training College, now part of the site of North Kent College. People know the town for the Dartford Crossing and as the place where the Rolling Stones began, but very few know it is the birthplace of Netball.

To help celebrate, the College opened the Österberg Visitor Centre to the public  The public were treated to a tour of the archives and informal discussions with the Bergman Österberg volunteers. They were shown  the history of the college and told about the birthplace of Netball.

Jackie Gibbs, Bergman Österberg Union volunteer commented, “We were so excited to join in and help support  National Sporting Heritage Day as we wanted to raise awareness of our own Österberg collection as well as other collections worldwide. It was also lovely to welcome everyone who came along to our event, especially our alumni who were particularly interested in seeing the pictures from their school years at the College.”

The College thanked everyone involved in making this wonderful event happen and are opening the  Österberg Visitor Centre every Wednesday from 11am to 4pm for the public to come along and enjoy.