A new sporting app is helping Richmond residents get back on their feet after a second nationwide lockdown. 

The tech company, Sportside, hopes to encourage residents to stay active through a social networking app as the borough heads into Tier 2 restrictions.

Sportside is calling for Richmond-based sports enthusiasts to sign up as “community captains”, who will lead others to participate in permitted exercise, such as running, cycling, tennis, football or walking.

Whilst currently restricted to Tier 2 approved activities, the Sportside app is a free platform that connects people across 20 sports, finding their sporting match based on age, ability and geography.

Following its initial pilot in Richmond and Bromley, the app will be rolled out across all London boroughs and nationwide in 2021.

Richmond and Twickenham Times: Image: SportsideImage: Sportside

Sportside chief executive Jeremy Bourke said:

"We are excited that the Richmond will be the place where we begin our mission to connect the nation through sporting play.

"There has never been a more important time for all of us to recognise the role that sport and exercise can play in our lives, and at Sportside we know that people connecting and coming together will be a massive part of our physical and mental recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our community captains will play a key role in initially helping residents in Richmond have the chance to exercise safely in line with UK government guidelines, while we eagerly look forward to more sports reopening for access in the coming weeks and months.”

The app is available to download for free on both iOS and Android devices for Richmond residents. Local residents can apply to become a community captain here.