DISABILITY SPORT
From archery to athletics and ice hockey to equestrian, there are dozens of parasports and thousands of clubs in the UK ready to welcome new participants of all standards.
English Federation for Disability Sport, external
Parasport club finder, external
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DIVING
So, you’ve seen a teenager make it look easy. Do you have the nerve for the 10m platform board? There are plenty of options available in the sport of diving.
GI guide to getting started in Diving
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EQUESTRIAN
Horse sport offers the artistry of dressage, the dynamism of show jumping and the all-round thrill of eventing, but you can start out with a lazy hack at your local centre.
GI guide to getting started in Equestrian
Hoof – learn to ride in the UK, external
Parasport: equestrian, external
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FENCING
The thrust and parry, not to mention all that work for your thighs and glutes, will take care of 400 calories an hour. And don’t worry, it’s not remotely dangerous to get started.
GI guide to getting started in Fencing
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FIGURE SKATING
If Dancing on Ice took your fancy, it’s actually very easy to get into skating in the UK. There are plenty of rinks and dedicated sessions available – this is the place to find out more.
GI guide to getting started in Figure Skating
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FOOTBALL
Widely considered the national sport in the UK and unquestionably the number-one in terms of popularity. But how do you get started if you’ve never played before? And how do you find a team if you’re getting back into it?
GI guide to getting started in Football
The FA – My Football, external
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GAELIC FOOTBALL
One of the most popular sports in Ireland, a fast-paced game played between 30 players on a field larger than a football pitch.
GI guide to getting started in Gaelic Football
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GOLF
A sport which takes many forms, from hitting a few balls on the driving range to a quick nine holes with friends, to the full 18 holes and tournaments over the course of several days.
GI guide to getting started in Golf
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GYMNASTICS
Inspired to hop on a pommel horse or swing from the parallel bars? Or would you rather try rhythmic gymnastics or trampolining? Not to mention tumbling, acrobatics and much more, and there are hundreds of clubs to choose from.
GI guide to getting started in Artistic Gymnastics
GI guide to getting started in Rhythmic Gymnastics
GI guide to getting started in Trampoline Gymnastics
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HANDBALL
This sport flourished in the 2012 Olympic spotlight, having been big for decades in much of Europe. Did it catch your eye? If so, here’s how to get started.
GI guide to getting started in Handball
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HOCKEY
Were you one of the 600,000 fans who saw Olympic hockey at London 2012? Here’s more info if you want to try the sport or get back into it if you played when you were younger.
GI guide to getting started in Hockey
Parasport: zone hockey, external
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HORSE RACING
The “sport of kings” has a long and illustrious history stretching as far back as ancient Greece, and remains one of the most popular sports on both sides of the Atlantic.
GI guide to getting started in Horse Racing
Hoof – learn to ride in the UK, external
BHA -British Horseracing Authority, external
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HURLING
Hurling shares elements with lacrosse, hockey, baseball or football, so if you haven’t given the game a go, it won’t take you long to grasp the basics.
GI guide to getting started in Hurling
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ICE HOCKEY
With teams dotted throughout the UK and the promise of a fast-paced sport approximating the toughest interval training you can imagine, ice hockey offers and exciting and different challenge. Get your skates on.
GI guide to getting started in Ice Hockey
English Ice Hockey Association, external
Parasport: sledge hockey, external
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JUDO
It’s not about brute strength: to enjoy judo, your technique and timing count the most. You can even drop the combat entirely and simply use the moves to build fitness – it’s up to you.
GI guide to getting started in Judo
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LUGE
The UK has one, tiny, luge course. You should put it to full use by getting a taste for what amounts to an adrenaline-fuelled, feet-first slide down a mountainside.
GI guide to getting started in Luge
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MARTIAL ARTS
From karate to judo, kickboxing to MMA, martial arts promotes self-defence and wellbeing. Whether you use it for combat or not, there are plenty of ways to get started.
GI guide to getting started in Martial Arts
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MODERN PENTATHLON
Yes, it can be done, and you won’t find a more exciting mix to hold your attention span: fencing, swimming, show jumping, running and shooting.
GI guide to getting started in Modern Pentathlon
Pentathlon GB guide to getting started in Modern Pentathlon, external
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MOTORSPORT
Bikes, karts, rallying and more. Just because you’re sitting in or on something with an engine, it doesn’t mean you won’t get exercise – physical conditioning is a vital element of motorsport.
GI guide to getting started in Motorsport
Motor Sports Association of the UK, external
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NETBALL
First developed alongside basketball – and sharing many features – netball claims to be the fastest-growing and most popular team sport for women in the world.
GI guide to getting started in Netball
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NORDIC COMBINATION
While it’s a tricky proposition to learn this combination of ski jumping and cross-country in the UK, you’ll become incredibly fit (and the envy of friends) if you take it on.
GI guide to getting started in Nordic Combination
Parasport: nordic skiing, external
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ROWING
One of the most physically demanding sports at the Olympics if you really push it, but nobody will mind if you just want to learn the basics and get a little fitter. Opportunities all over the UK.
GI guide to getting started in Rowing
Parasport: adaptive rowing, external
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RUGBY LEAGUE
A crowd-pleasing, physically demanding game with few stoppages and plenty of pace. This sport is highly popular in England, Australia and beyond.
GI guide to getting started in Rugby League
Rugby Football League, external
Parasport: wheelchair rugby league, external
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