A new sport for DD 12

Winter doesn’t have to be the end of cycling…

Cyclocross was invented by roadies who wanted to ride through the winter! Races start at U8 or younger. I bet there are people from her cycling club who do it in the winter.

Mountain biking? Trailquest?

Track cycling - Do you live anywhere near a velodrome? Derby, Manchester, Glasgow, Lee Valley, Newport, Hampshire?

Triathlon?

If she’s fit, I don’t think a girls grassroots football club would turn her down tbh.

DD(15) started kickboxing to keep fit in the cricket “off season” then got involved in any indoor winter league anyway!

Squash

Padel. It's new enough that most people are new to it. I read yesterday that a new court is opening every 9 hours in the UK. Lots of farms round us (Yorkshire) have converted barns and tennis clubs are sacrificing a court or two for Padel courts as they usually have a roof on so playable year round. Some have fun extras like being able to play your music just on your court.

All of this.

Is she in a cycling club? Do they not do sessions over the winter? At 12 she is probably old enough to start TDCs now if you have any near you.

Cross is a great option if she likes getting muddy.

Or a velodrome. That is indoors. There are cluster sessions at most velodromes over the winter so she could work on getting accredited. At 12 she can also do SQTs once accredited.

Are you willing to say roughly where you are in the country. That may help.

My last post went weird but around here we have
fencing
winter cycling
archery (scout leaders might have contacts)
teen membership of the local leisure centre

My kids do ski racing at the local dry ski slope. It’s great fun and definitely tires them out. Have a look to see if your slope has a race team?

does her cycling club not do cyclo cross in winter? we are in peak cyclo cross season now. she could also explore track cycling if there’s a velodrome near by. my kids are cycling all year round with their club .

that said cycling (and swimming) does not promote good bone density development so along side cycling she should be doing an exercise that will helps strengthen this during this period of growth as it determines the bone density in adult hood.

trampolining, climbing and bouldering, judo and other martial arts, cross country running and orienteering, circus skills, hockey, ice skating, could all be things to explore, that would be good sports to explore that don’t require early age start (and would be good for bone density) i guess it depends on what is available in your area.

Trampolining

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.

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

Rugby defo

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

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

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

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!

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

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…

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.

i've sent you a PM

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.

What about orienteering?

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.