Whether you’re seeking fun ways to get active, looking for a new hobby or want to hone your skills as an athlete, Gloucestershire is home to plenty of fantastic sports clubs that offer professional coaching and courses for sportspeople of all ages and abilities.
From joining a synchronised swimming team to getting Wimbledon-ready on the tennis court, SoGlos has rounded up 8 of the county’s best sports clubs with coaching amenities in this handy hot list.
1. Tennis and racket sports coaching at East Glos Club
Whether you’re an experienced player or completely new to the sport, East Glos Club in Cheltenham offers tennis lessons for everyone, including non-members, small groups and juniors – with all sessions tailored and delivered by its team of experienced, LTA-qualified coaches.
Plus, with dedicated coaching for its other on-court offerings, aspiring players can also get to grips with one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, padel, or learn how to play squash and racketball.
2. Golf lessons at Brickhampton Court Golf Complex
Welcoming people of all genders, ages and abilities, Brickhampton Court near Gloucester has a team of PGA Professionals who can help golfers bring their A-game – with two leafy green golf courses and a 28-bay driving range to practice your putts and drives.
Afterwards, players can relax in the new clubhouse bar, Nineteen at Brickhampton, which opened in April 2022 with a menu of barbecue-inspired dishes, Sunday lunches and premium drinks from local producers.
3. Boxing classes and coaching at Fight Factory Boxing in Gloucester
Spanning non-contact fitness classes to professional coaching, Fight Factory is the only full-time boxing gym in Gloucester, run by a team of qualified boxing coaches and personal trainers.
From total beginners to amateur boxers who want to take their fight to the next level, Fight Factory offers dedicated personal training that’s tailored to help each individual meet their goals, taking their fitness and abilities into account.
4. Croquet coaching at Cheltenham Croquet Club
Learn to play croquet at the historic Cheltenham Croquet Club, one of the oldest and largest croquet clubs in Britain. Its friendly and inclusive community of members benefit from leading facilities, including 10 full-size lawns, two half-size lawns and a practice area.
All newcomers are taught the basics through a series of structured lessons, with three introductory sessions provided for prospective members, followed by a further three tutorials after joining the club, as well as additional weekly coaching opportunities.
5. Sailing training with Bowmoor Sailing Club
If the idea of sailing floats your boat, check out Bowmoor Sailing Club in Lechlade for the chance to get out on the water and learn the ropes. Sailors can progress their skills with regular club coaching or raise the stakes by getting into Bowmoor’s competitive racing scene.
For would-be seafarers, the Cotswold club also runs RYA-endorsed courses in powerboating and shore-based skills, teaching everything from skipper theory to how to operate marine radio equipment.
6. Water polo and artistic swimming at Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club
Those who love making a splash can try something a little different with Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club, which offers training in Olympic sports like water polo and artistic swimming at Sandford Parks Lido and Leisure at Cheltenham.
Anyone over the age of 18 can join the masters training squad for adult artistic swimmers, welcoming beginners through to experienced synchronised swimmers; while there are several seniors’ teams for water polo, including a women’s squad and mixed team, and junior teams for both sports.
7. Rowing training at Gloucester Rowing Club
Getting budding rowers out on the water, Gloucester Rowing Club runs several beginners’ courses for adults and juniors throughout the year, designed to teach people how to row in a relaxed environment with coaching from qualified instructors.
Plus, anyone who discovers a passion for the sport can opt to take it up competitively, joining one of the club’s training squads, or connect with other members who enjoy rowing recreationally.
8. Training runs with Cotswold Allrunners Club
Tag along to training sessions with the Cotswold Allrunners to soak up the scenic countryside of the Stroud district, with routes around Coaley Peak, Nailsworth and Minchinhampton.
Newbies can go from ‘couch to 5k’ by following the structured beginners’ course, while the club also runs an intervals training schedule in Stroud’s Stratford Park, incorporating active stretching, time trials and hard running to keep things varied.
