Sporting chance

The 18 year old has just opened a sports shop in St Leonard's Road with 15 year old brother Daniel as his partner.

Rory was an assistant working for Final Score and when owner Steve Holliday announced he was closing his Bexhill branch, Rory seized the chance to start up on his own.

"It had been on-going in my mind for quite a while," said Rory.

"I always thought I could do something like this. So, we took it over."

Rory has lived in Bexhill for 10 years, having moved from Crystal Palace, and attended Bexhill High School followed by the college. A keen footballer, he played for Crystal Palace youth team and then joined Glenco FC, and Sidley under-16s, but was forced to stop because of ligament injury.

He has strong contacts with sports clubs in the area though and says: "There are a lot of clubs round here - a lot of people to buy sports stuff and play sport. This isn't a main road, like Devonshire Road and Western Road, but when you are a specialist shop it doesn't matter where you are because once you're established, people will take that extra walk or travel further to get to you."

In Rory's opinion, internet shopping cannot compare with seeing and trying on before buying, and he is eager to advise customers on what is right for them.

He is preparing now for the cricket season and taking in stock from Gray Nicholls and Gunn & Moore, planning to focus on sports as they happen during the year while keeping a constant supply of must-have essentials such as football boots.

Younger brother Daniel will be helping out in the shop in between study - he is soon to start music at Eastbourne College - and in charge of accounts. He is himself a keen cricketer and is vice-captain of Little Common cricket club 2nd 11.