Help me find team sport clubs! - London

[katewoodhurst]

Hey ladies, how are you doing!
My DD is about to start sixth form and she needs to find a team sports ASAP as she needs to develop her social skills. We're thinking about something like netball, hockey, football, etc. - add suggestions! She only does independent sports like swimming and boxing so we wanted to expand that.
Any Londoners have recommendations for team sport clubs in SE/SW london that have space for 16 year olds at beginner or intermediate level?
Many thanks, Kate

There are many netball clubs - can you be a bit more specific about where you are?

For hockey and cricket, try the Spencer Club in Wandsworth (and if any good at cricket, then Surrey at the Oval)

Also look on your council's website, as they might have a directory of local clubs (free standing or via council-run sites)

And even though it might not be as social as you want, look at what the Westminster Boating Base (Pimlico) has to offer - extremely cheap, it does run its activities (sailing, kayaking, power-boating) in groups

Rowing?

I would look at football - Balham fc supposed to be v good. My impression with hockey and netball clubs unfortunately is that the girls are never welcoming, they usually have their school friends and ignore outsiders. Rather than developing social skills it might put your daughter off sports. If she struggles socially and you want her to build social confidence, I imagine football or rowing could be a bit nicer. Or if she likes swimming and boxing, swimming clubs are usually social and friendly and with boxing you could look at martial arts.

i think team sports can be great but can also be a miserable experience for a 16 year old. I have two girls in netball / hockey clubs and it has always struck me how the girls all just talk to their school friends and it takes years for them to make friends with others. Especially in London as it is dominated by private school kids. Sorry to add another perspective but I hope you find sth for your daughter to have a positive experience. We felt swimming clubs were the nicest environments socially.