It’s Time To Try Olympic Sports In The Amber Valley

With the Rio Olympic Games in full swing, the summer holidays upon us and the weather – fingers crossed – improving, it is the perfect time to try out a new sport.

Whatever your age, you can have a go at many of the Team GB sports in the Amber Valley area. Below is a handy list, compiled by Amber Valley Borough Council, to show you where and what is available locally.

Archery

Amber Valley has 2 archery clubs, Forest Bowmen based near Codnor who are a well-established field archery club & Derbyshire Archery Club who shoot at John Flamsteed School, Denby.

Useful websites: www.forestbowmen.co.uk,  www.dacarchers.co.uk,  www.archerygb.org/archery

Athletics

Amber Valley & Erewash Athletics club train weekly at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston and support athletes of all abilities to train as well as compete in local and national competitions.

Useful websites: www.aveac.org.uk

Badminton During the summer holidays you can play Badminton for just £1 per person at Alfreton, Ripley & William Gregg Leisure Centre so why not dust off your old racket and give it a go!

Useful websites: www.alfretonbadminton.co.uk,  clubfinder.badmintonengland.co.uk

Basketball

Amber Valley Spartans are a growing Basketball club who now have 3 senior men’s teams competing in the Sherwood League. The club trains across the Borough with weekly sessions at Ripley Leisure Centre, Aldercar High School & Rutland Leisure Centre in Ilkeston.

Useful websites: www.avspartans.com

Boxing

There are numerous boxing clubs in Amber Valley supporting juniors and adults of all levels of experience.

Useful websites: www.facebook.com/AldercarLangleyMillABC,  www.facebook.com/RipleyBoxingClub,  www.complete-body-fitness.co.uk/boxing

Cycling

Whether you are a beginner or experienced cyclist there’s plenty of support to help get you on your bike. New cyclists can get 1-2-1 support from Derbyshire County Council’s County Rider scheme whilst for those looking for more of a challenge there is Heanor Clarion and Belper cycling clubs.

There is also the nearby Derby Arena for those who are more of the track cycling persuasion! The Arena offers a 2 hour taster session which acts as the first stage of the accreditation course to become a regular rider on the track.

Useful websites: www.heanorclarion.org.uk,  www.britishcycling.org.uk,  www.belperbc.wordpress.com,  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/countyrider

Football

Budding or returning footballers aren’t spoilt for choice of clubs in Amber Valley with men’s, women’s, juniors, disability and even walking football clubs playing in the Borough.

Useful websites: www.derbyshirefa.com/findaclub

Horse Riding

There are 4 riding stables within Amber Valley which all offer a fantastic range of enclosed and open trail riding opportunities.

Useful websites: www.birchwoodequestriancentre.co.uk, www.ripley-riders.org

Golf

With Golf returning as an Olympic sport for the first time in 102 years at Rio now is a great time to get involved. England Golf’s “Get Into Golf” campaign is a good starting point for those new to the game and Amber Valley has 6 courses to choose from.

Useful websites: www.ormondefieldsgolfclub.co.uk,  www.alfretongolfclub.co.uk,  www.chevingolf.co.uk,  www.horsleylodge.co.uk/golf,  www.kedlestonparkgolfclub.co.uk,  www.getintogolf.org

Gymnastics Alfreton, William Gregg & Ripley Leisure Centre’s all offer open gymnastics sessions with Alfreton Leisure Centre having a dedicated gymnastics academy. There is also one club in the Borough, Amber Valley Gymnastics Club.

Useful websites: www.british-gymnastics.org

Hockey

Belper Hockey Club has a wide variety of teams for men, women and juniors playing from grassroots through to regional and national competitions. Amber Valley Hornets are the Borough’s other club based in Ripley they have 1 adult ladies team.

Useful websites: www.belperhc.co.uk,  www.ambervalleyhornets.co.uk

Rugby

Another new addition to the Olympics for Rio is the fast paced game of Rugby 7’s, if you’ve been glued to the action and fancy giving it a go Belper & Amber Valley Rugby Club, who are based near Somercotes both cater for men, women & juniors.

Useful websites: www.pitchero.com/clubs/belper,  www.ambervalleyrugbyclub.co.uk

Sailing

Although there are no sailing clubs within Amber Valley you don’t have to venture far if you want to stretch your sea legs! Ogston Sailing Club are based at a reservoir near Clay Cross and there is also the picturesque Carsington Reservoir which runs a full water sports programme.

Useful websites: ogstonsc.co.uk,  www.carsingtonwater.com/watersports

Swimming

All of the leisure centres in Amber Valley (Alfreton, Ripley, William Gregg VC & Belper) have casual swim sessions as well as swimming lessons throughout the year. For those who fancy themselves as the next Adam Peaty or Jazz Carlin there are 3 clubs in Amber Valley who utilise the Leisure Centre pools.

Useful websites: www.belpermarlin.co.uk,  www.heanorswimmingclub.org,  www.ripleyrascals.org.uk,  www.swimming.org/asa

Taekwondo

There are 2 Heart of England Taekwondo clubs catering for those interested in Martial Arts in Amber Valley, they are based at Alfreton Leisure Centre & Somerlea Park Centre.

Useful websites: www.heartofengland-itf.org.uk

Tennis

Wimbledon may already be a distant memory for some but the Olympics this year gives us another chance to get the Tennis bug, there are 5 recognised Tennis clubs in Amber Valley including Ripley & Alfreton Tennis Club’s new facility on Heage Road in Ripley which is due to be finished later this year!

Useful websites: www.duffieldtennisclub.co.uk,  www.ripleyalfretontennis.org.uk

Triathlon

If one sport isn’t enough for you then get 3 for the price of 1 with Triathlon, Alfreton Leisure Centre are hosting an Aquathon at the end of August for those wanting to get a taste for Triathlon. There is also Belper 10:20 triathlon club based in Amber Valley who hold regular training sessions including swimming training at Belper Leisure Centre.

Useful websites: www.belpertentwenty.wordpress.com,  www.gotri.org

Volleyball

Unfortunately there isn’t a Beach Volleyball offer in Amber Valley but the next best thing is Belper Hammers Volleyball Club who train weekly at Belper Leisure Centre and next door Whitemoor Recreation Ground during the summer.

Useful websites: www.facebook.com/VolleyballBelper

Featured Image: Belper Hammers Volleyball Club