A new sport for DD 12

pcuk.org/join/

Off topic, but to clarify there are two types of Pony Club. 'Centre' which operate from riding schools using riding school ponies and do activities there, and 'Branch' which is mostly children with their own ponies and transport doing activities in a range of different locations.

With the OP saying that friends own their ponies I would assume that they're at a branch. Her daughter can join as a non-riding member and attend stable management lessons, and compete in the quiz and horsemanship competitions as well as the pc triathlons which are running, swimming and shooting, no ridden element.

It seems a perfect fit to me, does the sport, learns pony skills prior to learning to ride and is (probably) within her friendship group.

I wouldn't completely rule out sports that she doesn't like at school as it can be very different playing in an outside club or team. My DS played his sport to regional level whilst he was at school and now is on his University team but he hated it in PE lessons and only played for the school team a couple of times under duress when someone else dropped out.
Some schools have brilliant sports provision of course but many don't and if your only experience of a particular sport is 45 mins a week on a cold Thursday afternoon, on a suboptimal pitch with poor equipment, a non specialist coach and 30 kids half of whom don't want to be there at all it's not surprising it doesn't appeal. But the same sport in an enthusiastic club setting can be very different. I'd encourage her to keep an open mind and try a few things.

Lots of girls that age I know like netball. Lots of teams where I am and at school.

Gymnastics is great all year round. Lots of girls carry on for longer now. What about dance?

tennis lessons? Badminton?

Does it have to be a sport if she’s looking for something extra to do?

Netball, squash, badminton, jujitsu or judo.

Just in case she fancies a go on the velodrome.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/329513/British-Cycling-North-of-England-Go-Ride-Track-Cluster

@AnderNuvvaFing can you join Pony Club without a pony? Do they share the ponies out for triathlons etc?

my kids don’t have their own ponies so I just assumed it wasn’t an option, all the kids we know who do PC have their own…

OP I see she’s ruled out rugby but I was going to suggest that, a really inclusive sport that has many late starters.

Rowing!
Best thing my dd ever did..

Netball? My daughters love it for so many reasons - sense of belonging, community, competition, fitness. And if she’s a pocket rocket, she’ll make a great centre!

I would suggest looking at rugby. My daughter's 5'3 1/8, a size 8, and has played rugby since she was 14. She's now nearly 18 and she loves it backs aren't big. It's just the forwards that tend to be. The best thing about rugby is that everyone is a different size and they all find something to do. It's a great team sport.

What about orienteering?

Since it's the group part she enjoys, I'd ask about the actual session as well as the sport. Is it the same children each week, and is there a beginner group she could try? A trial with a regular group might tell her more than an individual taster, even if the activity itself looks exciting.

i've sent you a PM

Is she a individual or team sport person? No point taking up football or rugby if shes happier doing sport alongside someone rather than playing with.
Is there teen gym sessions locally? Or competitive swimming? triathlon club? People underestimate artistic swimming (syncro) its very physically challenging.

def trampoline if she’s small strong and fearless… you can get very good pretty fast and you def don’t need to start early…one of the best I know started at 12…

Indoor bouldering is a great sport, I'm in my 50s and love it! The kids there all pick it up very quickly and because they're small and light they seem to cling onto the tiniest of holds and scamper up the walls. It's really good for balance, strength, confidence and problem-solving. If you're in the NW there are some great indoor climbing centres around Manchester, you're spoilt for choice really. Buying your own kit does get expensive, the shoes cost so much! but junior entry fees and shoe hire prices aren't too bad and there are instructor-led courses for juniors too

Im not sure why she Has to be doing more, but Definitely climbing. As in bouldering, not clip and climb. It is great for fitness, strength, flexibility, self confidence...
My daughter did it for a few years (did it as part of her GCSE course work) and loved it and has actually recently said she might start going again. The age ranges are between 4 and 70 odd and everyone seemed to be lovely too!

If I had my DD’s over again, I would enrol them in some form of martial art

Water polo
athletics or parkrun
BMX
triathlon club
fencing
climbing
karate
hockey
netball
lacrosse

About rugby they have a position for every size/build including small! Usually means they aren’t part of the scrum!

Rugby defo

Dance of some sort? Maybe street, commercial or contemporary, a lot of people start those when they are in their teens.

Trampolining is definitely one you can start at any age. My daughter started it seriously at nearly 10 and is one of the youngest in her development squad at 11.

Bouldering is also an any age starting sport and fantastic for all round fitness! I’ve done it a few times in my early 40s and discovered muscles I had no idea I had, despite being reasonably fit.