As soon as Spring hits lots of people get off the sofa and into the outdoors. We are a big cheerleader for sport of any kind, well as long as it’s not too dangerous! The gym is the favourite of many, but team sports, cycling and golf are a great way to get outdoors, meet new friends and keep fit at the same time.
We love our clinic in Whalley and since we opened last year we have seen lots of different people including amateur sports men and women. Here’s just some of the sports clubs in Whalley and Clitheroe that have been brought to our attention recently. Take a look if you, or a member of the family, is thinking of joining up for a sport this spring.
Are you A Tennis Champ In Waiting?
Based on Mitton Road, Whalley Tennis Club has three all weather pitches. The club offers regular coaching and social tennis for all ages. Now that Andy Murray is on the verge of retirement, we’re sure The Lawn Tennis Association will be looking for the tennis stars of the future. In the meantime we’re pleased to report that Whalley Tennis Club welcomes new members of any standard from beginner to experienced players. We’ve asked the club to share their membership fees and we’ll update the page as soon as we get them!
You can find contact details for them on the LTA Clubspark site here.
If Golf is Your Sweet Spot
Not just a splendid wedding venue, of “course” you can also get out for 18-holes at Whalley Golf Club. They welcome members from any age and up to the age of 35 there is an incentive to join with £100 off the annual cost. It’s a Par 72 course. Members can play in social and formal competitions with fellow golfers. You’ll gain new friends and have access to the wonderful club house with its splendid beams; sit on the balcony overlooking the course when it’s warm enough. And ladies, yes you are welcome too these days.
Follow them on Twitter @GolfWhalley or click on the link below for more news on the club.
Bat Away The Winter Blues
Whalley Cricket Club is a welcoming group of people and they invite you to sign up as a user of their site to be kept in the loop with what is going on. They say:
It’s free and won’t involve any commitment on your part. During the season you will receive regular emails to let you know what’s happening.
Sounds good to us. Training is split into Seniors, under 18s, under 15s and junior school aged children. Contacts for each section are listed here. Their facilities are on Station Road in Whalley, next to the railway station in, behind the tennis courts. As well as the playing field the club has three artificial and one grass net. And of course if you are more of a spectator than a player there is a lovely pavilion.
They have a Facebook group you can ask to join here.
Two Wheels Good
If cycling gets you in a spin then North Lancashire Road Club is worth a look. The club encourages new members who want to race, or indeed, just ride. Their brilliant weekly programme of club rides all start in Whalley. They operate to serve the Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle and Ribble Valley area; so you don’t need to live in Whalley to join up. Their beginner ride is on a Wednesday morning; there are another three rides a week as you progress to being a more experienced rider.
The good news is that the the rides start from The Dog Inn in Whalley; well it sounds ever better news if the rides end there too! There are more details about their weekly ride schedule here. Once you get more comfortable in the saddle there are annual club trophies to compete for.
Junior Football Finds a Permanent Home
Clitheroe Wolves is one of the the largest football teams in the Ribble Valley. They are set to go from strength to strength in 2019 as they now have a permanent home at High Moor. This means they can invest in the club’s facilities. They run teams for players right up to the age of 18. Their Facebook group has more than 1,200 members, you can ask to join here.
Their Twitter profile gives you an idea of the scale and reach of the club:
Clitheroe Wolves Football Club. Founded 1992. Teams from Under 7s to Under 18s including Girls and Disability groups. 40 teams and growing
Not Fight Club – Whalley Run Club
What a brilliant initiative. For the last nine years Whalley Run Club has been meeting up at the library on Wednesday evenings. If you are new to running don’t worry nobody gets left behind. All abilities are welcome as they explain:
The Emphasis is on fun, sociable running. We do run backs when needed to keep the group together; generally run up to 4 miles on tarmac in the winter on street-lit routes and venture off road into the lovely countryside in the Summer.
There is more info on their British Athletics supported page here. You can work your way up to joining them at one of the events they seem to to get involved in regularly according to their Facebook page.
