Sporty girls – outdoor fun in Surrey

Variety, fun and friendship are key to getting more girls into sport. Samantha Laurie explores some quirky ideas that tick the right boxes

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PHOTO: SUSANLUCIANI.COM

For all the podium successes in women’s sport and the empowering ad campaigns of recent years, grassroots participation is still floundering. Research depressingly reveals that 90% of 14 year old girls do less sport than recommended, compared to 50% of boys.

In survey after survey, girls say the same thing: they want to do sport with friends. They want more variety, ‘lighter’ versions of traditional fare; they want activities that are sociable, fun, relaxed and local, and they want to sample a few in the first instance. For a little inspiration try one of the following for size...

For more ideas try wsnet.co.uk/activemapx, a mapping service of 30,000 female-oriented sports classes and clubs run by Women’s Sports Network 

• 1

  Go Fence

  Check website for details, Surrey

  An excellent rebranding by British Fencing has seen many women taking up the (plastic) sabre. Fun, sociable and great for toning. 

  Visit: gofence.com
• 2
  

  Roller Hockey

  Dogflud Way, Farnham, GU9 7UD

  01252 723208

  Website

  Farnham Roller Hockey Club is the only team in Surrey to train in this non-contact, four-wheeled roller skating sport. Mixed teams until seniors, and the fast-moving, fun nature of the sport makes it an exciting option. Juniors start at six, initially learning to skate before progressing to the stick techniques. Training on Sundays at Farnham Leisure Centre. 

  Visit: farnhamrollerhockey.co.uk 
• 3

  ​Smash-up Badminton

  Check website for details, Surrey

  One of the biggest in-school successes with non-sporty 14-16 year old girls, this ticks all boxes for female participation: music, fun, loose structure, sociable. Purists may hate it, but it’s reaching the girls other sports have failed to lure. Widely available at leisure centres. 

  Visit: smashup.kitserver.co.uk
• 4
  

  Silent Disco

  Battersea Park, Wandsworth, SW11 4NJ

  020 8871 7530

  Richmond based Outdoor Fitness Collective runs 15 classes a week – all outdoors in SW London’s abundant green spaces. The latest addition is Silent Disco, a wireless workout in Battersea Park on Saturday mornings, music and headphones provided. Drop-in sessions for £10; other activities include circuit training, yoga, cycling, run training, kayaking and paddleboarding. 

  Visit: outdoorfitnesscollective.co.uk
• 5

  CardioTennis

  Check website for details, Surrey

  Fast-paced fitness class on a tennis court based on tennis drills, all set to up-tempo music. It’s fun, fast and sociable, and you don’t need to belong to a club or be good at tennis. Hugely popular and available at many local sports centres. Bring a racquet if you have one, tennis wear optional. 

  Visit: lta.org.uk/play/types-of-tennis/cardio-tennis 
• 6
  

  Underwater Hockey

  Guildford Spectrum Parkway Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1UP

  01483 443322

  Website

  Underwater hockey – or octopush, to give it its James Bond-ish alias – is not something dreamt up after one too many poolside cocktails, but has been around since the 1950s and has an international competitive league. Six players (originally eight) per mixed team compete to flick, push and manoeuvre a leaded puck across the bottom of the pool to the opponents’ gulley using a small ‘pusher’ stick. Players use snorkels, masks and fins, the key being to hold one’s breath for long periods whilst working as a team. Guildford Underwater Hockey Club, based at Guildford Spectrum, is seeking new juniors (8 years +) and is evenly matched in girls and boys. Training on Sundays 5-6pm, first three sessions free. 

  Visit: gbuwh.co.uk/farnham 
• 7

  Korfball

  Check website for details, Surrey

  A Dutch mishmash of netball, basketball and handball; one of the few ball sports to work well with mixed teams. Junior teams in Croydon, Epsom, Mitcham and Tooting.

  Visit: londonkorfball.com/clubs