30/07/2013 00:00
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CALVIA Council is poised to revive its attempt to honour one of the municipality's most famous international sporting visitors, England's rugby world cup winner Jonny Wilkinson. England's rugby world cup winning fly-half and Newcastle Falcons star is currently back on the island at his family's holiday home recovering from the recent British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand. It is understood that his manager, father Phil, bought a holiday home in Calvia in the late 1970*s and Wilkinson has become a frequent visitor.
He spent a few weeks in July 2003 on the island training in the heat as part of his preparations for the Rugby World cup two years ago.
It was his heroic drop goal in the dying seconds of the final against Australia that prompted Calvia Council to decide upon honouring frequent visitor Wilkinson for his great sporting achievement. Initially Calvia Council thought about naming a street after him. However, a suggestion to name a sports centre in his honour was also put forward and, with Wilkinson back on the island, the Council wants to make the best of this latest opportunity. Last year, Wilkinson was dogged by injury but managed to regain full fitness for the Lions' tour.
But in the second test against the All Blacks he picked up a shoulder injury and was ruled out of the rest of the tour which ended in a 3-0 defeat for Sir Clive Wooward's Lions. Wilkinson suffered irritation and bruising to the nerves which run from the neck to the shoulder.
Apart from being one of the best rugby centres in the world, Jonny Wilkinson is also a keen golfer. Apart from some light fitness training, he will no doubt be making the most of the island's golf courses during his Majorcan holiday.