Where To Play Sport In London: Part G

Sam Parton
By Sam Parton Last edited 134 months ago
Where To Play Sport In London: Part G

Continuing our alphabetical exploration of London’s sporting clubs and facilities.

Gaelic Football
This Irish sport is a rugby and football hybrid, and is played by two teams of 15 on a rectangular football field. It is one of the few remaining amateur sports in the world and the object is to score a goal (like football) against your opposition. While predominately played in Ireland, there are a handful of London Gaelic Football clubs to join. Dulwich Harps is one of the oldest London clubs, while Neasden Gaels, North London Shamrocks and the St Clarets CFC are other popular London clubs. London GAA provides additional details of how to get involved in this physically demanding sport.

Golf


The roots of golf are debated, but it is generally believed to have been introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages and is the fourth most popular sport in the UK by participation. The problem is that it requires space, time and silly trousers, all of which are in short supply for Londoners. There are solutions, however. Urban Golf now has three indoor golf simulators at Royal Smithfield, Soho and Kensington. This is perfect if you are live or work around Central London or you need a slightly unusual way to entertain friends or clients. Proper golf courses tend to be further outside London with notable pay and play courses at Beckenham Place Park, Central London Golf centre in Wandsworth and Duke’s Meadows. For regular golfers, your best bets are Dulwich & Sydenham (the club house has some of the best views in London), Wimbledon Common or Muswell Hill Golf Clubs. Finally, if you just want to annihilate a few balls, the World of Golf chain has driving ranges around the outskirts of London in New Malden, Croydon and Sidcup.

Go-Karting
Go-karting tends to bring out the competitiveness in even the most placid of individuals and involves racing around tracks at over 40 mph. One of the largest companies is Team Sport, which has a centrally located track in Tower Bridge and another indoor circuit in Edmonton. Go Karting London has a 750m track in Mile End with speeds of up to 55mph, and Revolution Karting is based close to Canary Wharf station. Further outside London is the exhilarating outdoor track at Surbiton Raceway with terrifying speeds of up to 68 mph on offer. Otherwise, you can also use Matchtea to find a London Go-Karting Centre.

Goalball
The English Federation of Disabled Sport (EFDS) estimates that there are 11 million disabled people in the UK, yet only 18% of these people are undertaking the minimum of 30 minutes a week of exercise. This is why promoting sports such as goalball is so important. Goalball involves two teams of three trying to throw a ball embedded with bells into their opponents’ goal. It is designed for the visually impaired, although partially sighted players are given blindfolds to even-up the playing field. London Goalball is open to all visually impaired persons and organises ‘have-a-go’ sessions around London. The national governing body, Goalball UK also has everything you need to know about the latest tournaments and getting involved.

Gridiron (American Football)
Gridiron is essentially a colloquial name for American Football although it also encompasses Canadian Football and refers to the ‘grid’ system of the pitches. While a minor sport in the UK, participation levels have recently increased, catalysed by the sell-out NFL games played annually at Wembley Stadium. For casual shorter formats, Go Mammoth organises a mixed 8-a-side league at White City on Monday evenings, which you can join as a team or an individual. For serious players, there are three main London teams to join: The London Warriors based in Selhurst, London Blitz in Finsbury Park and Crystal Palace-based The London Olympians. The British American Football Association (BAFA) also has a useful club finder to help you find places to play American Football.

Previously
Part A: Aerobics, Aikido, Archery, Athletics, Aussie Rules Football
Part B: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bikram Yoga, Boules, Bowls, Boxing
Part C: Canoeing, Climbing, Cricket, Croquet, Curling, Cycling
Part D: Dance, Darts, Disc Golf, Diving, Dodgeball, Dragon Boat Racing
Part E: Equestrian, English Billiards, Eight-a-side Football, Endurance Running, Extreme Sports
Part F: Fives, Football, Fencing, Frisbee

By Sam Parton
Sam is Founder of Matchtea.com which helps take the hassle out of booking London squash courts and other sports venues.

Last Updated 14 January 2013