Olympics London 2012: Where to try the sports with your children
Filed under: Holidays, Advice and health
Are your children getting excited about the Olympic Games being held in London this summer?
Whether you've got tickets or not, there are plenty of ways your kids can have a go at some of the same sports as their Team GB heroes.
How about bidding to become the next Rebecca Adlington with a plunge into an Olympic sized pool or trying out the thrill of a cycling velodrome like Chris Hoy?
Below we've put together a guide to help your family try out some of the top Olympic disciplines wherever you are and whatever your budget...
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Are your children getting excited about the Olympic Games being held in London this summer?Olympic sports to try as a family
- Athletics<p> Your child could get support and coaching via The Aviva UKA Academy run though schools and local athletics clubs. Find out more at <a href="http://www.uka.org.uk/" target="_blank">Uka.org.uk</a>; 0121 713 8400.</p>
- Martial arts<p> TeamGB has some top stars in Olympic martial art events. If your child want to try judo find a local club at <a href="http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/" target="_blank">Britishjudo.org.uk</a> or if taekwondo is more their thing log on to <a href="http://www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk/" target="_blank">Britishtaekwondo.org.uk. </a></p>
- The Gold Challenge<p> Fancy challenging yourself and the family this summer? The Gold Challenge is a chance to have a go at a bunch of different Olympic Sports and raise money for charity at the same time either individually or as part of a team. The Family Activity Challenge gives you the opportunity to learn a new sport and take part in a run cycle, swim or walk. Check out the website <a href="http://family.goldchallenge.org/" target="_blank">Family.goldchallenge.org</a> for more details or go to <a href="http://www.thegamesandbeyond.com/" target="_blank">Thegamesandbeyond.com</a> for details of how to take part in a whole host of other Olympic sports.</p> <p> </p>
- Archery<p> Get them all of a quiver by trying archery. You can find a club through Archery GB and there’s even a talent selection weekend at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire 26-27<sup>th</sup> May. For details visit <a href="http://www.archerygb.org/" target="_blank">Archerygb.org</a>.</p>
- Gymnastics<p> Any budding Louis Smith can go to a training taster session at a club which cost just a few pounds. Call British Gymnastics on 0845 1297129 or visit <a href="http://www.british-gymnastics.org/" target="_blank">British-gymnastics.org</a> for more info.</p>
- Swimming<p> If the local leisure centre hasn’t quite got that big Games feel, seek out one of the nation’s Olympic sized pools like the one at the Liverpool Aquatics Centre used by some of the 2012 hopefuls. A family swim for non members is £7. Visit <a href="http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Liverpool.gov.uk</a> or Tel 0151 233 8850 for info.</p>
- Sailing<p> The first port of call would be one of 2,200 sailing clubs around Britain. Most offer taster sessions and courses for youngsters. To find a local club call Royal Yachting Association on 0845 345 0400 or visit <a href="http://www.rya.org.uk/" target="_blank">Rya.org.uk</a>.</p>
- Hockey<p> Get your children’s school into Quicksticks – or organise your own event. It’s a new version of hockey for 7-11 year olds designed as an introduction to the sport. See <a href="http://www.playquicksticks.co.uk./" target="_blank">Playquicksticks.co.uk</a> for more details.</p>
- Canoeing and rowing<p> Do they want to stick their oar in? Call one of the 550 rowing clubs across Britain. Find the nearest to at <a href="http://www.britishrowing.org/" target="_blank">Britishrowing.org/</a>. For canoeing visit the British Canoe Union’s website at <a href="http://www.bcu.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bcu.org.uk</a> or call 08453 709 500. There’s also the brilliant National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham complete with white water course. Taster sessions for eight year olds and over in kayaking, sailing or canoeing are from £10-20 an hour. See <a href="http://www.nwscnotts.com/" target="_blank">Nwscnotts.com</a> or call 0115 982 1212.</p>
- Track cycling<p> Try out one of the state of the art velodromes offering beginner sessions and courses for children. There’s the Wales National Veldorome in Newport, 01633 656 757 and a track at Calshot near Southampton,<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.calshot.com/" target="_blank">Calshot.com/</a>Tel:023 8089 2077.</p> <p> At The National Cycling Centre in Manchester you could watch Team GB training, before taking to the track yourself. They offer regular taster sessions to children aged nine. <a href="http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/" target="_blank">Nationalcyclingcentre.com</a>/Tel: 0161 223 2244.</p> <p> There’s also the Herne Hill Velodrome in London, which hosted cycling events at the 1948 London Olympics, where kids can take to the 450 metre track in novice trainer sessions.<a href="http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/" target="_blank"> Hernehillvelodrome.com</a>.</p>
- BMX<p> If they want to rough it up a bit like British BMX Olympic hopeful Shanaze Reade there are fifty tracks across the UK to try out. See the British Cycling website for details of those near you, <a href="http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/" target="_blank">britishcycling.org.uk</a> /Tel: 0870 871 2000.</p>
- Equestrian<p> As well as local riding clubs contact the The Pony Club at <a href="http://www.pcuk.org/" target="_blank">Pcuk.org</a> for local events and the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme at <a href="http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/under_25s" target="_blank">Britishdressage.co.uk/under_25s</a>.</p>
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