Eileen Ash is one of the few people to ever ring in a 107th birthday, so you can bet she did it in style.
The former test cricket player, who was born in London and competed internationally for England, both before and after World War II, celebrated her Oct. 30 birthday with friends and family many times over. But, one highlight from her milestone birthday was having the sports hall at the Hewett Academy in Norwich (United Kingdom) named after her.
The £1.9M Eileen Ash Sports Hall was constructed for students to participate in netball, cricket, badminton, volleyball, basketball and trampolining.
“I’m very, very honored, indeed,” she told the BBC. “I didn’t think that was ever going to happen.”
Photo: Inspiration Trust
While Ash no longer plays cricket, she watches it on television. But, don’t think for a second that she sits on her couch all day.
She can often be found dribbling and shooting a basketball, driving around town and doing yoga, which she started more than 30 years ago.
“It helps your brain because you have to think and it improves your muscles,” Ash said about her love of yoga. “You just feel fit.”
She played golf until the age of 98, and intends to take up martial arts.
As for how Ash has aged so gracefully, she credits it to a well-balanced diet, exercise and two glasses of wine per day.
She’s the oldest living international cricketer, and she rang the bell at Lord’s Cricket Ground to signal the start of the 2017 Women’s World Cup Final.
To celebrate her 105th birthday, she passed her driving test. To ring in 106, she was taken for a flight in a Tiger Moth biplane. As for what the next year will bring for Ash, it’s anyone’s guess, but it’s fair to say it will be full of fun and adventure if she has it her way.
