Our Sporting Life
Grassroots and amateur sports magazine
5 Climbing Centres in and Around Manchester
Love a bit of indoor climbing? Well those of you fortunate enough to live in or near to Manchester are spoilt for choice when it comes to climbing centres. Here are some of the best available within easy reach of the city.
Crib Goch Ridge – How Difficult is It?
I hiked across Crib Goch in July 2022 as part of a Snowdon route. I’ve done a lot of mountain hiking but this was only my third exposed ridge. Beautiful and exhilarating with the weather conditions on my side, this is how I found the crossing.
That Time the FA Banned Women’s Football…
As 68,800+ people packed out Old Trafford to cheer on England women’s team in their Euro 2022 opener, it’s important that we reflect on just how far the women’s game has come. And let’s not forget that 101 years ago, the FA effectively banned the women’s game. That ban would go on to last half a century. Here’s the story of how a factory football team of ladies became the catalyst for an FA ban on the women’s game.
Is the CMD Arête to Ben Nevis Difficult?
The UK’s highest mountain by its most spectacular hiking route. That’s what the CMD arête to Ben Nevis promises. But how is it in reality? And how does it fare for beginners? I hiked to Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and the CMD arête. Here’s how I found what was my first notable ridge hike.
Striding Edge – How Dangerous is it?
Striding Edge is a popular ridge route to the summit of England’s third highest mountain, Helvellyn.
But how’d you get there? How safe is it? And who is it suitable for.
We took a little wander out there to take on Striding Edge for ourselves and here’s our take on it along with some photos and video from a sunny day on Helvellyn.
The Trinnacle Trail Near Dovestone Reservoir – Routes and Reviews
The Trinnacle Trail is a hiking route near Dovestone Reservoir in the Dark Peak area of the peak district. It takes its name after the unique three pronged gritstone formation most ascend to see. Here’s our take on it and a few route options.
Goal Kick Training with Flick Football’s Urban Return Ball
We tried out Flick Football’s urban ball returner for a drop kick training session with our 7 year old. Here’s what we thought of it, the pros and cons and a bit more information about the product as a kick training device in the context of young players.
Everything You Need to Know About Under 7s Football in England
Under 7s football follows the laws of “Mini Soccer,” which determine the age of players, time limits on games and other things too. Find out everything you need to know about getting started with U7s football in England.
What are the Most Popular Sportswear Brands in the UK in 2022?
Sportswear and Activewear is very popular in the UK, with a large proportion of the population participating in sports and working out regularly. This article
Our Writers and Editors
It’s really important to us that our content is created by people who know and love their topics. So we source contributions from external experts as well as having our own in house writers who cover their own areas of expertise. If ever we’re offering up health or fitness advice, we want to know it’s coming from someone qualified to give it. So we work with doctors and personal trainers as well. Some of our writers and listed below.
Stacey MacNaught
Hiker
Stacey is a keen hiker and mountain ridge walker. She’s also Assistant Coach for an U8s team undertaking FA coaching training and an advocate for accessible sports for all.
Christopher Czermak
Tennis player & coach
Christopher is an enthusiastic tennis player and qualified coach. He’s been playing since the age of 6 and now shares his love of the sport with other aspiring players.
Dr Andres Maldonado
Doctor
Andres Maldonado is a a doctor currently located in Venezuela and working at the country’s International Unit of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. He writes for us on anything health related.
Melanie Gilder
personal trainer
Melanie Gilder is a qualified personal trainer and dance teacher who specialises in female fitness. She works with clients to achieve improved fitness as well as weight loss. She writes for us on fitness tips and advice
Football. From 6 year olds running around on a Sunday morning to the mighty England women’s team selling out stadiums, football has a special place in our hearts. Here’s where we share articles, features and news on football.
Hiking. From gentle flat trails to mountain ridges, getting out on foot can be the most relaxing or the most exhilarating way to experience the scenery around you. We love a good hike. And in our hiking blog, we share trails, reviews, hints and tips on all things hiking.
Our Statistics and Research
Everything You Need to Know About Under 7s Football in England
Under 7s football follows the laws of “Mini Soccer,” which determine the age of players, time limits on games and other things too. Find out everything you need to know about getting started with U7s football in England.
American Football Statistics: UK Popularity 2022
American Football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, but exactly how popular is it over the pond in the UK?
Karate Statistics: How Popular Is Karate In The UK In 2022?
Karate is a Japanese martial art which is popular in many countries around the world. It is a popular martial art in the UK too
Skateboarding Statistics: How Popular Is Skateboarding In The UK In 2021?
Although many people may not think skateboarding is a sport, it was actually approved to be a sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This
Squash Statistics UK: How Popular is Squash in the UK in 2021?
Squash is a fast-paced racquet sport where players compete against each other by hitting the ball against the wall to rebound towards their opponent. These
Badminton Statistics: How Popular Is Badminton In The UK in 2021?
Commonly, badminton is played in singles or doubles while players hit the shuttlecock over the net. It’s played in the Summer Olympics and needs a
Gymnastics Statistics: How Popular Is Gymnastics In The UK In 2021?
Gymnastics is popular around the world. People perform the sport in many countries and events, such as the Olympic Games. But how popular is gymnastics
Skiing Statistics UK 2021: How Popular is Skiing in the UK?
Skiing is an exhilarating sport where people can travel at fast speeds down icy slopes. While the UK may not be well known for Skiing,
Swimming Statistics: How Popular is Swimming in the UK in 2021?
Swimming is one of the most popular methods to stay active in the UK, with large numbers of the population engaging in the sport. This
Walking Statistics UK: How Popular is walking in the UK in 2021?
Walking is an activity that everyone can get involved with. It allows you to explore the great outdoors, maintain your health and take in the
MMA Statistics: How Popular is Mixed Martial Arts in the UK in 2021?
Mixed martial arts has become much more popular in recent years, with the likes of the UFC gaining traction and notorious fighters such as Conor
Tennis Statistics UK 2021: How Popular is Tennis in the UK?
Tennis is a very popular sport in the UK, with exciting fast paced action throughout. These tennis statistics explore exactly how popular it is as
Golf Statistics: How Popular Is Golf In The UK In 2021?
Golf is popular around the world for many different reasons. It allows friends and family to get together to play a relaxing sport, allows colleagues
Rugby Statistics UK: How Popular is Rugby in the UK in 2021?
Rugby is one of the UKs favourite sports, evolving from football in the 19th century, Rugby still remains a popular sport in the country, with
Basketball Statistics UK 2021: How Popular is Basketball in the UK?
Basketball is typically associated with America as they seem to play it more professionally than over here in the UK. However, this doesn’t mean that
Darts Statistics UK: How Popular is Darts in the UK in 2021?
Darts is one of the most popular sports in the UK and is widely played both at home and often in pubs across the country.
Snooker Statistics: How Popular is Snooker in the UK in 2021?
Snooker has been popular in the UK for many years, but how has its popularity developed over time, how many people watch the sport and
Horse Racing Statistics: How Popular is Horse Racing in the UK in 2021?
Horse racing is a very popular spectator sport in the UK, with the fast paced sport being exciting for viewers both live and at home
Cricket Statistics UK 2021: How Popular is Cricket in the UK?
Cricket is England’s national summer sport and is now played in many countries around the world. But how popular is the sport in the UK
Gym Statistics UK 2021: How Many People Go To the Gym?
Covid-19 has caused many fitness clubs and gyms to temporarily close their doors to the public, making it difficult to generate revenue and maintain a