With much of the nation currently still riding a wave of Olympic euphoria (set to continue until after the Paralympics at the end of August) the question of how – and indeed whether – the Games can change the sporting habits of a nation is being asked.
We might all be Googling local handball and Tae Kwon Do clubs right now, but what are the chances of coverting that into actual, long-term sporting activity when the nights get darker and the temptation of the sofa sets in?!
So in the spirit of bringing the legacy to life, here are some ways to try out various Olympic sports in or around Dickens Heath. This is not a comprehensive list by any means so if you know of any more clubs or Olympic sports available locally please add comments at the end of this article!
Athletics
An easy one to try for free – why not jog around the village, if it ever stays dry for more than a few days the canal is lovely for a run.
However, if it’s something more competitive you’re after then try the free, weekly Brueton Park 5K run or Solihull Athletics Club?
Swimming
For competitive swimming, you could join Solihull Swimming Club, or why not start the road to Rio (well, someone’s got to take on Ryan Lochtie now that Michael Phelps has retired!) by training at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre?
Tennis
Solihull Tennis Club offers adult and kids tuition.
Tudor Grange leisure Centre has courts for hire – or there are free courts for use in the following parks:
- Shirley park x 3
- Elmdon park x 2
- Malvern park x 4
- Bentley Heath park x 2
- Jobs Close park x 2
- Meriden park x 3
Handball
You need to go a bit further afield to get involved with Handball it seems. There’s a club in Warwick: Warwick Handball
Basketball
Kids basketball tuition is available at Arden Basketball Club – there is also a court in Shirley park. Come to think of it there’s one in our back garden…I must go out and use it…
Water Polo
Who knew? Turns out you can try Water Polo in Solihull at Solihull Water Polo or at Solihull Swimming Club
Cycling
There’s a great cycle track in Tudor Grange park that is free to use – and also one at Babbs Mill Park.
But if you fancy yourself as the next Sir Chris Hoy then try one of the region’s velodromes:
You can also get involved with this weekend’s free Sky Ride in Birmingham City Centre.
Judo
Visit Solihull Judo Club here for more details.
Gymnastics
It looks as though there are two clubs locally – but both seem to only offer girls tuition:
It looks like boys may need to go into Birmingham for their chance to become the next Louis Smith, try Revolution Gymnastics Club for details.
Mind you, there’s nothing like starting them young. Toddler training available every week at Gymboree!
Hockey
Old Silhillian’s Hockey Club caters for men, women and youngsters apparently if you’d like to help Team GB to go better than Bronze in 2016.
Boxing
For budding Nicola Adams and Anthony Joshuas (of all ages), try:
Tae Kwon Do
There are quite a few Tae Kwon Do clubs in the borough. Here’s the two closest that Google threw up:
Sailing
For wannabe Ben Ainslie’s then there’s a sailing club right round the corner at Earlswood Lakes – and less than half an hour away a club with a well-respected training academy – Bartley Sailing Club.
Still undecided? If you’d like to sample a range of sports to try them on for size then go to somewhere like Blossomfield Club which advertises lots of different sports in a family friendly atmosphere or Tudor Grange Leisure Centre.
You can also click here for a pretty comprehensive list of sport clubs and classes in the borough.
Whatever you do…have fun!!