The A-Z of local sport

Friend of BC Sam Parton has recently launched an tool called Matchtea.com, designed to help people find and rate sports groups and facilities near them and then book online.

To demonstrate its awesome power, he has used it to produce this A-Z of local sports options - some of which we've featured in the past, others of which we'd never heard:

A – Athletics. Were you the person who came last at school and vowed never to do athletics again? Well dust off your spikes and head down to the Ladywell Arena, Brockley’s answer to the Olympic stadium. There are a handful of running clubs to join and it’s more social than the gym.

B– Badminton. Popular in Asia and one of the fastest racquet sports, badminton is surprisingly tiring and good for your fitness. Head down to the Haberdashers Sports hall, St Asaph Road every Thursday at 20:00.  Further info here.

C–Cycling. One of the fastest growing sports in London, increasingly safe and it’s good for you (and the environment), why not get a bike? Ladywell Village Cycles and Brockley Bikes will kit you out, the TFL planner can help you find your route and the government’s Cycle Scheme will even make it tax efficient.

D–Dodgeball. Modestly named ‘The Awful Dodgers’ are always looking for players for their fledgling dodgeball team, although they tend to play at London Bridge. Details here.

E– Equestrian. Dulwich Riding School is the nearest riding centre to Brockley. It offers riding lessons for adults & children and perhaps most exciting of all - ‘Own a pony day’

F– Football. For the kids, try ‘Little Kickers’ on 020 7252 1185 who hold weekly football coaching for children at Haberdasher’s School, St Asaphs Road.

G–Golf. Feeling inspired by the Ryder Cup? Though a 20 minute drive from Brockley, Beckenham Place  Park has a public 18 hole golf course - just turn up and play.

H– Hockey. Suitable for both genders, the nearest hockey pitches are at the King’s College Sports Ground on Brockley Rise, where access is available to the community when not in use. King’s and Alleyn’s Hockey Club train there regularly.

I – Ice Skating. Hilly Fields created a ‘synthetic ice rink’ in November 2011, we’ll keep you posted if this ever comes back.

J– Jogging. It has to be Parkrun, a free weekly timed 5k run, starting at Hilly Fields every Saturday at 9am with coffee afterwards at Pistachios. To take part, you just need to quickly register in advance - event details here.

K – Karate. This is a great way to get your kids trained in self-defence. Try TKI Shotokan Karate, with karate classes around the Beckenham and Bromley area.

L–Latin Dancing. You have to head to the Rivoli Ballroom on Brockley Road on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. Latin and ballroom dancing are on tap with an added twist of salsa and a pinch of line dancing. All abilities are welcome.

M – Martial Arts. New Cross Martial Arts offers Judo in New Crossand the Ackroyd Community Centre has ‘Shu-ho Ju-Jitsu’.

N– Netball. Adored by women, never understood by men, there are netball courts (and community teams) at the King’s College Sports Ground on Brockley Rise.

O–OAP Exercise Classes. Seated exercises for the elderly every Tuesday from 12.15 - 1pm in the Ackroyd Community Centre Main Hall, SE23 1DL. 

P– Pilates. Aptly named ‘I Love Pilates’ holds classes at the St Mary’s Centre on Ladywell Road, “combining our passion for life and wellbeing”.

Q– Quad Roller Skating–Telegraph Hill has a free skate park and if you don’t fancy the ramps, just skate around the park. Be careful not to cramp everyone’s style though.

R –Rock-climbing – Although not strictly on ‘rock’, the new Glass Mill Leisure Centre at Loampit Vale (opening in Spring 2013) will have an indoor climbing wall.

S–Swimming – Head to Forest Hill Pools which was recently(ish) revamped.  Coaching is available for kids and lane sessions are available for adults.

T– Tennis – Fancy yourself as the next Greg Rusedski or Jo Durie? Hilly Fields and Telegraph Hill are your best bets, with the former offering slightly better courts out of the two.

U–Unfound – We genuinely couldn’t find a U, nothing, nada, rien. Unicycling, unihockey and underwater hockey proved fruitless sadly.

V – Vaulting – Available at the Ladywell Gymastics Club at Belingham Leisure Centre, good for kids of all ages.

W –Workout – Open gym offers outdoor workouts in Hilly Fields on Mon, Wed and Sat for around £10/class saying “you’ll feel energised and very pleased with yourself” – perfect.

X – X-training - An excellent form of cardio-vascular training (and because ‘x’ is a hard one...) your best bets are Goldsmiths Gym in New Cross and Dulwich Leisure Centre

Y – Yoga – Celebrity fans include Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs. It’s surprisingly tough and incredibly good for your posture. Book a yoga class in Ladywell through Kara Grant – email: kara@karagrant.com

Z – Zumba–This sport originates from Brazil and provides the happy as well as sweaty factor. We highly recommend heading down to St Hilda’s Church Hall, Brockley Road, Crofton Park every Thursday at 8pm, it’s fun, social and Brazilian, click here for further information.