Sports

Sports Classes and other activities in South London Area

Home-educated children in the London area have the chance to participate in a huge range of team and individual sports and activities. These classes have either been used or suggested by home-ed families. If you know of any others, please add them. This is just a start !

Athletics:
Sutcliffe Park Athletics Track (off Eltham Rd/Kidbrooke) has

Junior athletics sessions at weekends and weekday evening sessions, plus holiday courses where you can try a range of athletics.

tel:0208 851 8692

Basketball
London Towers Basketball

http://www.london-towers.co.uk

Basketball for ages 6+ at Crystal Palace National Sport Centre.

Lewisham Thunder Basketball

Forest Hill, drop-in and membership sessions. lewishamthunder@live.co.uk

Circus Skills
Not just juggling - these circus centres offer flying trapeze etc. too. Very popular with home educators.

Aircraft Circus, SE18

Airborne Circus N2

East Finchley  Circus skills class for Home educated children

Mon & Weds. 5 - 7 year olds  £8 per class, 8 + year olds £10 per class

airborne@airbornecircus.com   Tel: 0208 123 6261

The class is run by Adam Cohen who is highly skilled and was home educated for a time himself! http://www.airbornecircus.com/youth-classes/circus-for-home-schoolers/

National Centre for Circus Arts, N1

home of the National Youth Circus.

Cricket
Cricket at the Colfeian sports centre, Lee Green Sunday 10.30 for about 2 hours, seems very relaxed. Has a league for under 9s and several other categories.

http://www.colfeiansportsclub.co.uk/minis.htm

Fiona says: "I would also wish to reiterate the friendliness of the Old Colfeians Cricket Club where Freddie has been a member and player for 3 years now. They are extremely inclusive and will make sure that all kids - boys and girls teams operate, who go to winter nets (times for these vary a/c age) get games and a turn at batting/bowling regardless of ability. Means that they may not be very high up in the leagues on all occasions, but at least it is fun."

Lewisham Sports Academy Sports offered: Cricket, football, multi-sports Age range: 5 - 15 years old Contact address: Abbotshall Road, Catford SE6 1SQ - 020 8698 3928 http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/SportAndLeisure/SportsAndLeisureDirectory/MultiSports/LewishamSportsAcademy.htm

Cycling
Location : 104 Burbage Rd, London SE24 9HE

These sessions are for kids aged between 3 - 8 who can ride a bike, offer an opportunity to improve key cycling skills in a fun and exciting environment led by British Cycling qualified coaches. The sessions takes place on the 250m flat inner track.

They must be able to ride a pedal bike with minimal assistance. No stabilisers permitted. If your child can’t yet ride a pedal bike we recommend attending our Strider Balance Bike Club.

Optional Frog Bike and helmet hire is included in the cost of the session - you are also welcome to bring your own bike & helmet.

BOOK NOW

For any further information about these sessions or our Frog Bike Kids Parties, please email: cclarkstone@hhvt.org

Drama
Lyn Whiston runs a number of drama groups for home-ed children in the daytimes in Brockley. Contact her on stages@fsmail.net.

Rose Bruford College in Sidcup has drop-in drama classes, highly recommended by home-educators.

https://www.bruford.ac.uk/courses/bruford-youth-theatre/

CentreStage Theatre Academy. Wednesday HE class 11-12am in west Wickham/Bromley. Email Maina at; maruthompson@gmail.com

http://www.centrestagetheatreacademy.com

Royal Greenwich Fencing Club
Lovely, friendly club with cheerful coaches. Excellent coach-student ratio. They provide all equipment, and it is only £3.50 a session, on a drop-in basis. See

http://www.royalgreenwichfencingclub.org.uk/

Blackheath Fencing Club
Junior classes, nice venue at Blackheath High school. blackheathfencing.org.uk/

Football
Charlton Challenge football courses - loads of them all over the place

(Eltham, Sevenoaks, Greenwich, Bexley, Sidcup, Crowborough, charlton,

Dartford, etc)., ranging from 1 day to 1 week. All take 5 yrs and over.

They do some special courses for people with disabilities, girls only,

goalkeepers' specials, etc.. Tel 020 8850 2866 for details.

Benchmark Gymnastics Club, Thornton Heath
Run by a home-educating mum.

http://www.benchmarkgym.com/

Charisma Gymnastics, Dulwich
Highly recommended by several home-ed families.

http://charismagymnastics.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=52

Ladywell Gymnastics Club
Boys and girls, 2+

http://www.ladywellgym.com/

Bromley Valley Gym Club
Boys and girls 3+. They have two big gyms and great equipment and it's fun to go just to watch the international-class gymnasts practising. Works out about #5 a session. Used by home-ed families and has one home-edding coach! St Paul's Cray, BR5 - not far off the A 20 between Orpington, Chislehurst and Sidcup. http://www.bromleyvalley.co.uk/

NITRO GYMNASTICS
Great classes, for all levels, run by Helen (gymnast and fire fighter!) and her helpers, in West Wickham in Oak Hill School gym. Lots of HE kids use this club.

http://www.nitrogymnasticsclub.moonfruit.co.uk

Blackheath and Old Elthamians Hockey Club
Hockey for children aged 5+ and adults. Location: Mottingham (Eltham College). Friendly and relaxed. Currently has some HE members.

http://www.blackheath.co.uk/

Burnt Ash Hockey Club
Manor Way, Bexley. The Colts section has under 9s and older. http://www.burntashhockeyclub.com

Kingsmead Equestrian Centre
Kingswood lane, Warlingham CR6

The stables is at Hamsey Green and can be reached by the number 403 bus from West Croydon station. Bus passes fairfield halls and sanderstead station on the way.

Offers discounts to HE riders during the school day. Kingsmead is a registered RDA (riding for the disabled association) centre. They have no upper weight limit and miniature Shetland ponies for the tinies. My dd has been riding there for the three years and I cant say enough good things about them. The hacking is fantastic and the school has recently been replaced with a new rubber surface. They are very understanding of HE and are happy to accommodate individuals or groups at a time that suits.

If you are interested in lessons at Kingsmead please contact them on: 02086570832 or email: kingsmead_horses@btinternet.com

Website address: www.kingsmeadhorses.co.uk And facebook: kingsmead equestrian centre

Prices from £15. Lessons must be paid for in advance.

Mottingham Farm Stables
Very relaxed, take ages 3+, and you can ride around the fields and a small copse, not just an arena. Recommended by several HE families. They are flexible about price during the day, and will put on a group lesson during school hours - sometimes you may find you are the only person there, effectively getting a private lesson at group prices.

http://www.touchlondon.co.uk/business/list/bid/93882

Willow Tree Riding Establishment
Lee Green, SE12 - recommended by HE families. Riding in arena only. Used to have home-ed group lessons but these are no longer running.

Ice Hockey
Werewolves of London –

Special Ice hockey club offers a special needs ice hockey programme for children and adults who have Developmental Disabilities such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome and other Learning Disabilities.

This non-contact, non-competitive programme aims to offer physical exercise, while enhancing gross motor skills, self-confidence, self-esteem and social skills, with an emphasis on having fun. Beginners and Non-skaters aged from 5 years up to and including adults are all welcome!

Highly recommended by home-ed families; coaches include local home-edders.

http://werewolvesoflondon.org.uk/

Capoeira
Danca di Liberdade Capoeira

The Brazilian martial art that combines self-defence, dance and acrobatics, instruments and singing as well as Brazilian history, language and culture. Kids' classes in Streatham, Brixton/ Herne Hill and Kennington. Classes run most evenings during the week and on Saturday mornings a the Capoeira school at 136 Streatham High Road, SW16 1BW (above the Barclays Bank). *entrance on Woodbourne Avenue. Classes cost £55 per term (£35 for concessions) and children currently enrolled range from 4-14 years old. Please contact the instructor, Sarah for more information at Danca di Liberdade Capoeira - info@ddl.org.uk

Capoeira Academy UK - family capoeira class at Camberwell Leisure Centre on weds from 4-5pm. The same teacher also has another class at Peckham Leisure Centre on thurs from 4-5pm too.

The teacher is really friendly and good with the kids and the classes are fun, and it so nice to do an activity together with the family and costs £3 per person.

Harris Judo club
Eltham/ Kidbrooke. Rochester Way Club, 366 Rochester Way, London SE9 6LH. Classes for 4 - 8 and 8 + on both Monday and Thursday, 6pm onwards depending on which class. £3.50 for the first child from each family and £2 for subsequent children, on a weekly (drop-in) basis, no commitment. Can borrow judo jacket and belt - just turn up wearing tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt. Lovely friendly club with a very kind coach who's great with little kids. Lots of home-ed families have attended over the years. Email Duncan on duncan.carey@talktalk.net or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57732954196

Bromley Kuk Sool Won
Korean martial art involving many gymnastic moves. One of the coaches was home-educated. Meets at Bromley Valley Gym Club, St Paul's Cray, Friday evenings. Ages 5+.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kuk-Sool-Won-Bromley/123686087667050

Crown Tae Kwon Do
Daytime class for home ed in West Wickham; also Bromley, Biggin Hill, SE London venues  crowntaekwondo.co.uk

Virtue TaeKwon-Do
Friendly kids, adults and family ITF Taekwondo classes run by World Champion Lisa Dennis, in Beckenham & Petts Wood. Highly recommended by home-ed families.

http://www.virtuetaekwondo.co.uk/

Netball
Raiders Netball Club – trains in Brockley.

http://www.raidersnetball.co.uk/

Rock Climbing
The Reach in Woolwich (SE18) is popular with home edders. There are occasional home-ed group classes running in the daytime - see the SLHE email group for details. The Reach staff are very friendly and helpful about organising new small groups. Over 14s can have junior membership which allows them to go and climb on their own. You can also take up to 4 people for £50 for a lesson.

Blackheath Rugby Club Minis
Rugby from age 5 upwards.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/blackheath/m/team-info-10948.html

Young Colfeians Rugby Football Club
Rugby for 6 and up, boys and girls - see http://www.colfeiansportsclub.co.uk/minis.htm

Club location: Colfeian sports centre, Lee Green,

Footscray RUFC
Boys and girls 6+

http://www.footscrayrufc.co.uk/

Rugby Munchkins
Weekend rugby classes for 2-7 year-olds, currently held in Beckenham, Eltham and N11.

http://www.munchkinsportsltd.com/rugby-munchkins/nearest-classes/

Skiing and Snowboarding
Bromley Ski and Snowboard Centre

Lessons for children 4+

Club location: St Paul's Cray, Sandy Lane, Orpington (Just off the A20 near Sidcup)

http://www.bromleyski.co.uk/home.html

Telephone: 016 8987 6812

South Croydon Table Tennis Club
Highly recommended by a home-ed family. Junior session Tuesday 6-7.30.

Fusion Table Tennis Club
At Knight's Academy (used to be Mallory and is now part of Haberdasher Askes) Launcelot Rd Bromley (actually Downham) BR1 5EB run by Martin Smith 07958 713002 smith@barnardos.org.uk

Sessions Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening 7-10 and Sats 1-5. I am not exactly sure  if younger kids can go evening times, certainly the sat sessions would be good for younger kids and it is then that there is free coaching. The price is £2/ session as far as I am aware.

Tennis
Greenwich City Tennis offers cheap, fun tennis classes for age 3+, held in Blackheath, Eltham and Shooters Hill. See:

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/SportLeisure/SportsDirectory/RacquetSports/Tennis.htm

Watersports
Danson Park Watersports Centre - sailing, kayaking and windsurfing for ages 8+. Holiday courses, weekly evening classes and clubs, and from time to time local home-ed groups will arrange courses there at a discount price, which are advertised on SLHE. In the past, has had courses for home-ed groups to gain qualifications, including Assistant Instructor. Much cheaper than anywhere else I've seen offering the same courses.

http://www.bexley.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=862

=Other Lists of Sports Clubs=

Greenwich directory of sports clubs:

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/SportLeisure/SportsDirectory/

There is a directory of sports clubs in SE9 here:

http://www.thisiseltham.co.uk/sports1.php

Lewisham Council list of some kids' sports clubs:

Lewisham Council sports directory

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/SportAndLeisure/SportsAndLeisureDirectory/