Volleyball

English Volleyball Association / London Volleyball Association

Volleyball is an Olympic sport. It definitely develops your kids jumping and is great fun. Websites:  www.volleyballengland.org &  www.londonvolleyball.org

Tennis

Lots of information available from the Lawn Tennis association (LTA) visit their website for info on how to get started. Tennis in London is served by four of the LTA County Offices - Middlesex LTA covers most venues North of the Thames River, Surrey LTA covers most venues south of the Thames River. The remainder are covered by Kent LTA or Essex LTA.
Website
Tel: 020 8569 2333
Tel. 020 7381 7000, although best to contact your county rep.www.lta.org.uk

Swimming / Waterpolo / Diving / Syncro 

Amateur Swimming Association (ASA)

The ASA site has a listing of the various clubs in and around London, you can also try your local pool as many will have their own swimming teams made up of different ages, needs and abilities.  Address: Harold Fern House, Derby Square, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 5AL Tel:0871 200 0928 Website
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Sailing 

ISAF UK:  to find out more about what’s on locally contact the International Sailing Federation
Address:  ISAF UK (ltd), Ariadne House, Town Quay, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2AQ.
Tel: 02380 635111
www.sailing.org

Rugby 

Rugby Football Union (RFU):  To find out about local rugby clubs for kids start by talking to your child’s PE teacher or contact the Rugby Football Union. You can also search the site for your nearest club or get details of your Regional Development Officer.
Tel: (020) 8831 6527
Website

Rowing 

The Amateur Rowing Association (ARA). To find out about getting involved in rowing contact the ARA National Office. There is a lot of youth rowing development work going on in schools and through local rowing clubs. Your child can have a go on a rowing machine (Erg) or an indoor rowing tank before progressing to a boat on a river. Warning: Your child must be able to swim before getting in a boat!

ARA, 6 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DJ,

Tel: 0870 060 7100

www.ara-rowing.org

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Kites

Kite flying has really taken off (literally) in the UK. Whether flying single line kites, 2 line stunt or power kites or 4 line traction kites there are lots of open spaces in the capital where you are never short of wind! Remember, don’t get in the way of lines, particularly near bigger kites, as they could hurt, and be careful if near people on buggies or kite boards. for recommendations try www.poolekites.freeserve.co.uk for a good list of places to fly. Most places mentioned have refreshments on site or near by. 

Blackheath, Clapham common, Copthall, Barnet Richmond Park Hackney Marshes (Home to a summer kite festival!), Kite Hill, Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath,  Streatham Common,Wormword Scrubs 

TIP: See also our feature on kite flying

Judo 

British Judo Association:  Another of the many Olympic sports! For more information contact the British Judo Association.
Address: Suite B, L'borough Tech Park, Epinal Way, Loughborough., LE11 3GE
Tel: 01509 631670
Website
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Ice Hockey UK 

If you like skating then you are half way there! To get started check with Ice Hockey UK.
Address: Berkeley House, 18-24 High Street, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7RP
Tel: (020) 8 732 4505
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Horse Riding

British Horse Society

To find out what’s on offer near you contact the British Horse Society.

Address:  Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2XZ
Tel: 08701 202244
Website  
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England Hockey 

Lots of information on the England Hockey website aimed at kids and you can also search for clubs. Lots of events run each year, particularly with children and young people, to encourage take up of the sport.

Address:  The National Hockey Stadium, Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 1HA
Tel: 01908 544644
Webmail
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English Golf Union 

English Golf Union, The National Golf Centre, The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6PU,
Tel: 01526 354500,
Website
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Golf Foundation 

Golf Foundation, Foundation House, The Spinney, Hoddesdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire SG12 8GF  
Tel: 01920 876200
Website  
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Golf PGA 

Address:  PGA, Centenary House, The De Vere Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9PT,
Tel: 01675 470333 
Website
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Golf, PGA, Golf Foundation, English Golf Union 

Useful contacts for getting started include The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) who have details of golf courses near you, the Golf Foundation whose audiences are children and young people and the English Golf Union who also have a child focused site

Football - The Football Association 

Finding and joining a local club

There are Lots of local clubs that cater for a range of ages and many with strong links to the big premiership & league clubs. To find your nearest club log on to the FA site where you can search by post code and age range: www.thefa.com/Grassroots/ClubSearch/

Many of the big London clubs also offer courses during termly breaks. For example, Chelsea run various football related activities for children between the ages of 6-14 years and offer a non-residential soccer school using FA Qualified Coaches, many of whom are ex-professionals! All coaches are police checked and comply with Chelsea Community Development’s Code of Conduct. E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and check the website     www.chelseafc.com

Tours and hero worship!

A number of the London clubs offer the chance to walk around their ground and some have their own museum.

Chelsea Football Club  (Tube: West Brompton)Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS Tel:(020) 7915 2222 Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . www.chelseafc.com  The tour lasts around 1hr 20 minutes and takes you to see the all new Chelsea dressing room, away team dressing room, press room, television interview rooms, dugouts and pitchside. Tour + Museum Adult £13, Child £7.

Arsenal Football Club (Tube: Arsenal) Avenell Road, Highbury, London, N5 1BU www.arsenal.com Tel: 0207 704 4504. Retrace the steps taken by some of the Club's greatest legends, relive the glorious history of the unique venue and marvel in the splendour of its tradition, which sets Highbury apart from any other stadium in the Premiership (Until they move and it's pulled down of course). Tour and museum entry Adults £10, children £5.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (Tube: Seven Sisters, BR: Bruce Grove)

Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, London, N17 0AP 

Tel: 0870 420 5000, Email:   This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Birthday parties catered for and a number of coaching sessions run.

Fencing  - British Fencing Association

The sword is one of the oldest of weapons and, as Egyptian frescoes circa 1200BC show, fencing is one of the oldest of sports. The modern Olympic sport requires fencers to be of the fittest of athletes and have levels of skills which require many hours of dedicated training. Large number of clubs now exist throughout the UK. Some are run as evening classes and others are organised within sports centres, youth clubs, schools and colleges. Initially, you should make enquiries at your local library, Town or City Council Sport and Recreation Department and Regional Sports Council office. Most clubs are affiliated to the British Fencing Association (BFA) and information on your local clubs and regional fencing organisers may be obtained from the BFA.
Tel: (020) 8 742 3032
Website

Cycling - London Cycling Campaign 

The London Cycling Campaign 2 Newhams Row (Off Bermondsey St), London,SE1 3UZ
Tel: 020 7234 9310
Website

Cycling - SUSTRANS 

If you are looking for more information on leisure cycling, places to go, best routes and cycling network routes then try SusTRANS (sustainable transport!) and the London Cycling Campaign. Both have good information and the susTRANS site has a searchable database that allows you to enter your postcode. They also offer advice on safe routes to schools.
SusTRANS: Safe routes to schools: 0117 915 0100 Monday - Thursday (Voicemail Friday) &  General enquiries
Tel: 0845 113 0065
Website
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Cycling - British Cycling 

British Cycling is the official UK governing body for cycling and covers a range of cycling including BMX, mountain biking and racing. It has a good website with child and young person specific areas. There is also a facility to search for clubs. British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ
Tel: 0870 871 2000
Website
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Cricket 

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

To find out about the best way for your child to get into cricket contact your local Cricket Development Manager. You can find contact details via the ECB website here. The general Middlesex Number is 020 8346 8020.  

ECB,
Lord's Cricket Ground
London NW8 8QZ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7432 1200

www.ecb.co.uk/kids

Canoeing 

The British Canoe Union (BCU) was set up in 1936 to send a team to the Berlin Olympics. Since then the organisation has grown considerably, and the range of canoeing opportunity has increased tremendously. The BCU is now the lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK. The BCU website has plenty of information about how to get involved locally, details of your nearest club and contact details for your regional BCU rep.

British Canoe Union (BCU), John Dudderidge House, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AS Tel: 0115 9821100
Website
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Basketball 

Basketball is the Worlds fastest growing and largest participation sport – it is played by over 400 million people. The International Governing Body for basketball (FIBA) has 212 countries in membership. It is estimated that there are around a quarter of a million people in England who regularly participate in basketball. So, what are you waiting to get in contact? Check on the web site ‘where to play’ and good luck!
Website

Athletics 

To find your nearest athletics club contact your Regional representative. Clubs affiliate to the Regional Associations. If you wish to join a club you should contact the Association covering clubs in your area and they can provide details. For Southern Clubs contact:

Blackheath
David Reader
AAA Development Office
Marathon House
3rd Floor
115 Southwark Street
London
SE1 OJF

Tel: 0207 902 0218
Mobile: 07968 498706
Fax: 0207 473 2060
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Tel: 0121 452 1500
Website
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Rink size 56m x 26m. The Alexandra Palace Ice Rink offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and covering every aspect of ice sports. It has a total capacity of 1,250 including a seating area for 741 plus a café and a bar.

Skate boarding - Alexandra Palace Skate Park

Free to use + lots of other things around including an ice rink.  Free.
Tube: Wood Green + W3, BRT Alexandra Palace
Address:  Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY
Tel: 020 8365 2121/ 020 8883 3999,
Website
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Large rink, although slightly harder to get to (bus or car journey probably required). If visiting the area you could tie in with a visit to Hackney Marshes, Walthamstow Market or Epping Forest.

West Way Climbing Centre 

This community-based centre is committed to introducing local people to climbing and aims to provide access for all, regardless of ability and including individuals and groups with special needs. Parent and child sessions run on a Sunday from 10.30am to 12pm, from 5 years old and upward.

Mile End Climbing Wall

Opened to the public in the late eighties and housed inside an old pipe engineering works in Mile End Park, it is a five-minute walk from Mile End Tube Station. Inside you'll find approx. 16,000 sq. ft (1500 sq. m) of climbing surface with "Bouldering" at all levels, Top-Roped and Lead Climbing as well as more advanced Training areas - "The Board Room", and "Monkey House". Courses are offered on and off site and a kids club caters for 8-16 years, although there is no lower age limit for free climbing, but children must be accomanied by an adult who needs to register as a member. There needs to be a ratio of at least one adult to two children and supervised climbing taken at adults own risk. The centre caters to a range of abilities and staff seek to offer visitors a relaxed and informal social atmosphere to enjoy their climbing. Kids club caters for

The Castle Climbing Centre

The Castle is located near Manor House, North London. It is accessible from two tube lines and two overland lines as well being on a main bus route from the city and has good on site parking for cars and bicycles. If it's your first visit you can’t miss it, as it’s 200 feet high and it really is a castle ( well, elaborate Victorian water Works or Pumping Station). There is Gekos kids club for 9-16 year olds (http://www.geckos.co.uk). Younger kids can climb as long as they are supervised by a registered adult (2 children to one adult). registration costs £4 and adults can learn basic safety skills to become registered through the Castle (book on-line or by phone). There is a café on-site as well as a climbing shop (http://www.urbanrock.com/). Spectators and visitors are welcome and entry is free, but should check in at Reception.

Rom Skate Park

One of the first and last surviving concrete skate parks in the UK.
Open daily 10am-6pm
£5 for a four-hour session.
Tube/BR: Hornchurch
Address:  Upper Rainham Road, Hornchurch, Essex. RM12 4EY
Tel: 01708 474429

Skaterham 

Skaterham is part of the CR3 Community Youth Project, providing a range of services, including the skatepark, DJ booth, youth services and other organised activities and  for young and old alike.The skatepark is open to BMX, Inline and skateboarders

£1 per hour
BR: Caterham
Address:  The Chapel (opposite Tesco),The Village, Coulsdon Road, Caterham, Surrey,CR3 5ZB
Tel: 01883 348184
Website

Bay Sixty 6 

Formally known as the Playstation skate park, it is situated under the West Way, this skate park gets great reviews. There are a number of courses with various ramps to suit all. BMX'ers are also catered for here. Beginner session's run on Sat & Sun mornings with skateboards provided, Helmets can be hired, but bring your own pads. Check the website for more info.