We are lucky that we have such a wide range of participatory sports organisations in Basingstoke and Deane, so if you or a family member has been inspired to try a new sport, get back involved or even just get a little more active then take a look at the list below. These are just a few of the clubs, groups and gyms in the borough. You can find plenty more on Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council’s website and Basingstoke Voluntary Action’s list of clubs. Unsure what sort of sport to try? This handy tool on the BBC Sport website might inspire you.

Archery

The Overton Black Arrows Archery Club allows members to enjoy all aspects of the sport of archery from beginner tuition and recreational archery, through to competition coaching. The club is affiliated with Archery GB, Southern Counties Archery Society (SCAS) and the Hampshire Archery Association (HAA).

Athletics

Did you know Basingstoke has a triathlon club? Run by former Commonwealth Triathlete Dave Savage, it specialises in group training for adults of all abilities being equally welcome. You can get involved in either triathlon or swimming and running as separate disciplines. No contracts or commitments. Visit the website or contact Dave for more info at dave@davesavagesports.com                                                                          

Welcoming a wide mixture of ages, Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club is always looking out for new future talent. Training every Tuesday and Thursday at Down Grange, Pack Lane. The club is very popular and has produced international athletes.

For rural areas, are a running club based out of the village of Overton. Started in 1974, its focus is on remaining competitive and inclusive to all ages and running abilities.

Bowls

The Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club is based at the leisure park and welcomes new members any time during the year. If you are new to bowling, membership will include coaching sessions to give you an understanding of the game and the basic skills involved. In Basingstoke’s villages there is Oakley Bowling Club, which welcomes new members, whatever their experience or age and can provide coaching. In Kingsclere you can find Kingsclere Bowling Club which runs from April to the end of September. If you are interested in joining you can call in to the club on any evening or weekend during the summer, meet members, watch a match and have a drink whilst enjoying the action.

Cricket                                                                                                             

Oakley Cricket Club is always looking for new members of all ages and abilities to join the club and play at whatever level they wish Stratfield Turgis & Hartley Wespall Cricket Club play at Turgis Green, Stratfield Turgis and is currently looking to increase its membership. The club also has a junior’s section. Overton Cricket Club welcome everyone from all backgrounds and abilities, offering senior and youth cricket, in a fun friendly environment.

Cycling                

Enjoy Basingstoke’s scenic cycle routes and countryside, by signing up one of its many cycling groups; who are always on the lookout for new members of all ages and abilities. There is the Hatch Warren & Beggarwood Cycling Club who ride every week from Danebury Road or Cycle Club Basingstoke. Rural cycling groups include Oakley Pedalers Club which is a friendly sociable club of all abilities, but with the one commonality of their love for cycling.

Dance                  

Winners of A Place To Be Proud Of Awards 2022 – Arts and Entertainment Category, Basingstoke Academy of Dancing  provides a variety of tap, jazz and modern dance classes across many age groups and abilities. There are annual theatre shows for students and other performance opportunities. JLD School of Dance also offer a variety of fun classes in its Kingsclere, Cranbourne and Kempshott locations. Catering to a wide range of ages it teaches students from just two years old to adults, classes such as ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theatre and acrobatics.  There are also acrobatic dance classes at Lynden School of Dance & Acrobatics at Basingstoke Sports Centre and Chineham Village Hall, perfect for little ones starting out in the world of acrobatic dance or for those at a more advanced level.                                                           

For adults wanting to try Latin or Ballroom, whether you are a novice or experienced, DanceRite is a fantastic way to keep fit, socialise and have fun. Try a five-week course every Tuesday in Basingstoke at All Saints Church Hall. Latin and Ballroom Children's dance classes are also available, on Saturday mornings, at Alworth School, Basingstoke.       

Disability sport       

Disability swimming is catered for with Basingstoke Bluefins specialist ‘Sharks’ squad, giving children and young adults (aged eight to 18 years) the opportunity to swim in small groups with specialist teachers and to compete. 

Football   

You’ll find lots of friendly football clubs in and around Basingstoke for both adults and juniors. Take a look at the Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council website to find a club close to you. Basingstoke Soccer Centre offers junior coaching six days a week for children aged four to 12. It also has men’s leagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other clubs include Basingstoke Colts FC, Chineham Tigers Football Club, Sherborne St John FC and Whitchurch United. There are also girls only football clubs available to join at Overton Youth Football Club and  Oakley Football Club.   

Gymnastics                            

Basingstoke Gymnastics Club has a range of sessions including pre-school, recreational and open sessions for youngsters and an adult session which welcomes beginners. The facility includes a huge soft floor area plus an aerobic sprung floor, three tracks, asymmetric, parallel and high bars, rings, a vault area, and two sunken trampolines with a large pit area.

Gyms

You’ll find plenty of gyms located in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas. Here are just a few: Queen Mary’s Leisure, Beechdown, Fitness Flex, Fitness First, The Aquadrome, Basingstoke Sports Centre, and The Village Gym, Basingstoke. Here you can exercise in your own time at your own pace, some will have classes too. A number of parks around Basingstoke and Deane have outdoor gym equipment, including Beggarwood Park, Chineham Park and King George V Playing Fields, if you want to exercise outdoors.

Hockey

If you are an experienced hockey player wanting to get back in to it or are wanting to pick up a stick for the first time, take a look at Basingstoke Hockey Club, at Down Grange Sports Complex. Its playing membership of almost 500 members has formed seven mens teams, six ladies teams, 11 youth teams and a mixed team, so you will be sure to find a team which suits you!

Ice skating

Planet Ice runs Skate Excellence Learn to Skate lessons to teach the fundamentals of ice skating and have been designed for beginners of all ages, abilities, and learning styles. Lessons run on a regular basis, over a six-week period and include 30 minutes of group tuition, skate hire, training aids and coach support. Their three or five-day camps are designed for beginners of all ages, who are looking to learn how to skate, or for those that want to improve their skills on the ice and take place during the school holidays. They include a 30-minute group lesson, breakfast and a hot drink meal deal and public skate after your lesson to practice your skills.

Martial arts

The Basingstoke School of Martial Arts, at Moniton Trading Estate, is open to men, women and children from age four to join. They provide the exciting opportunity to study the arts of Freestyle Taekwondo and Paraestra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Running its classes at Aldworth College, Cross Kickboxing is a family founded martial arts academy.  Basingstoke Martial Arts Academy offers multiple martial arts classes including Karate, Kickboxing, Judo, Tai Chi and Kung Fu. The Academy, at Daneshill Central, also offers ladies only Kickboxing and Karate classes at a beginners level, for women wanting to learn self-defence and Kickboxing skills or to simply improve their fitness.                                                 

Paul Jones School of Judo offers classes from beginners through to experienced Judo players with gradings taking place once a term. Classes run on Saturdays during school term for those five years of age (school year 1) through to adults. It offers a free trial session to under 18s that want to try out the club.

Netball

In Basingstoke there are netball clubs for a wide range of ages. For adults, there is the well-established Basingstoke Netball Club or Play Netball which regularly train and play matches. There is also the Hatch Warren Tigers Junior Netball Club squad which has both junior and senior teams.

Rugby

BRFC has a wide range of teams for juniors and adults. You can contact the membership secretary to find out how to join. Overton Rugby Club is a members only club catering for both seniors and juniors who welcome new members.

Swimming   

Basingstoke Bluefins provides a safe swimming environment which encourages kids all the way up from early essential skills, through to national and international competitions.  Each swimmer is encouraged to develop swimming skills at a level and speed appropriate for them. Swimmers can join Bluefins at any time, so visit the website to find out more.     

Children can learn to swim at Basingstoke Sports Centre in Festival Place with lessons planned to match their ability. Their SWIMBiES classes for children ages three months to three years, provide a fun way of helping you and your child to build water confidence. Those aged four and over can join foundation swimming lessons for beginners or those completely new to swimming.   

Water Babies runs classes at the Hampshire Court Hotel in Chineham and Baby Squids run classes at Basingstoke hospital as well as the Hampshire Court Hotel.

Table tennis

If you want to try out the fast paced sport of table tennis get involved with Basingstoke Table Tennis at Aldworth Hall and play on one of its 16 tables. Coaching sessions are run by qualified Table Tennis England licensed coaches, with bats and balls supplied.

Tennis

The Old Basing Tennis Club is a relatively small friendly club which offers tennis primarily for adults of all abilities, including beginners.  They want people to enjoy playing tennis, whilst at the same time keeping fit in beautiful surroundings and to forge new friendships. The club boasts over 100 members, has two coaches giving lessons for adults on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings, and has mens, ladies and mixed tennis teams who play in the Basingstoke league. Club nights when anyone can turn up and play are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6pm and on Sundays from 10am. The club year runs from 1 April to 31 March and welcomes new joiners at any time.       

Whitchurch Tennis Club is a relatively small club that welcomes both adults and children of all abilities. The courts are available to members seven days a week and they also offer coaching. 

Basingstoke Tennis offers tennis sessions for both adults and children.  Located at Basingstoke Indoor Tennis Centre and Stratton Park, there are opportunities for social play, matches, professional coaching and internal competitions. The club also offers Pickleball Tennis sessions twice a week, so be sure to check out this fast-growing and exciting sport in the UK. There is no need to worry about equipment as everything is provided and all abilities are welcome. 

Waterpolo

Basingstoke Bluefins has a thriving and successful waterpolo section which currently consists of four squads - senior mens and ladies, the junior squad and the academy squad, which is open to anyone from the age of nine to 15. Book a trial to discover more about this fun fast-paced sport! 

If you know of a team or sport that welcomes beginners drop us an email to hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk and we’ll update this list.

Please note the inclusion of any group or business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.  

Written August 2022, updated April 2024