Sport is very much my bag. As a sports journalist for several years, I have been ​fortunate to witness sport across the world at the highest level; Olympics Games, ​World Cup, Formula One, rugby and cricket Test matches – and even camel ​racing in the Gulf.

Today, I am training tomorrow’s sports journalists of the future at a unique ​sports university based at Wembley Stadium called UCFB. There can surely be no ​more iconic place to teach sports degree programmes.

So, in producing this month’s issue of Rotary and also October’s issue of Rotary ​Magazine, which has a strong Olympic theme, it has been something of a ​busman’s holiday.

Rotary and sport is not regarded as a natural mix, but these next two issues will ​demonstrate that they do – and Rotarians are passionate about sport, and ​sporting challenges.

In September’s issue alone, there are several stories about Rotarians and their ​sporting pursuits, as well as clubs which are supporting their sporting ​communities.

The tale of Jasmine Harrison from North Yorkshire and her bid to sail single-​handed around the world in a tiny 19-foot yacht is mind-blowing. I’ve sailed in 32-​footers right up to 72-footers with a ten-person crew and they are boats which ​don’t take prisoners if you make a mistake.

Jasmine is just 25 and a member of Thirsk Rotary Club. She is definitely a Rotary ​trend-setter having already swum the length of Great Britain from Land’s End to ​John O’Groats. She is a tenacious and formidable young woman who will be ​setting off on the 2025 Mini Globe Race from Antigua next February.

In interview, Jasmine comes across as very mature, focused and surprisingly laid-​back lady about the challenges which lie ahead. She’s not worried about the ​weeks of isolation, her only concern is the weather and what the oceans will ​throw up at her.

Of course, Jasmine is not your typical Rotarian but a terrific ambassador for what ​Rotary does as ‘People of Action’. Jasmine is inviting Rotary districts and clubs to ​jump on board by sharing some of the costs in sponsorship, so providing a ​platform to promote the Rotary brand.

She points out how there are marketing opportunities with having the Rotary ​logo on the hull, sails and clothing, while she is hopeful the year-long challenge ​will have the potential to generate donations to charities such as End Polio Now ​and ShelterBox.

As Jasmine points out in the article: “This is a personal challenge for me, but I also ​want to show what Rotary is really like. Rotary is for anybody, for the young and ​for women as well.”

Let’s hope Jasmine gets our support. Please read the article, and if you feel ​inspired, have that conversation within your club or District if you can help this ​inspiring young woman with her quest.

Some might argue that Jasmine is not typical of Rotary’s demographic, but does ​that really matter?

Could we have a better ambassador for our organisation in looking to reach out ​to a younger and more diverse audience?