Be Inspired and Get Involved: 2024 Olympic Games

We’ve loved the thrills and excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics and if you’re feeling inspired, there’s a huge variety of sports across Tees Valley to try – suitable for seasoned athletes or those just looking for friendly fun.  

Cycling

After the women’s GB sprint team secured gold, why not take up cycling and achieve your own personal best. Get involved ahead of the Tour of Britain in September, where the professionals will show you how it’s done. Look out for the riders in Redcar, Saltburn, Yarm and Darlington.   

• Cycle Velodrome, Middlesbrough Sports Village 

• Stockton Wheelers Cycling club, Stockton-on-Tees 

• Hartlepool Cycling club, Hartlepool 

If you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, the Tees Valley cycle routes are a great way to get back into the saddle.  

Skateboarding

Despite being the new kid of the block, skateboarding has amazed so many of us with handrail and staircase tricks and flicks. With a little bravery, you’ll be flying in no time.   

• Saltburn Skatepark & Sport CIC offers free access for skaters, BMX riders, scooters and any other wheel sports 

• Preston Park skatepark, Stockton-on-Tees  

• 4Motion, Darlington  

Tennis

With both Wimbledon and the Tennis Olympic games, we’ve been spoilt with exciting doubles matches, and the continued rivalry of Djokovic and Alcaraz over the summer. Why not pick up a racquet and ball and serve up some fun on the court.   

Free access courts:  

• Littleboy Park, Thornaby 

• Seaton Park, Seaton Carew 

• Greatham Sports Field Association, Greatham 

Other:  

• Redcar & Cleveland have recently upgraded their Zetland Park and Borough Park tennis courts. In celebration of the Olympics, the courts are available and free to book throughout August to all residents and visitors.  

• Tennis World Middlesbrough, based in Marton, has six artificial, LED lit indoor courts and six newly refurbished flood lit outdoor courts. They also are also home to the North-east’s only covered Padel Courts!  

• Yarm Tennis club, on Leven Road, has six all-weather courts and three acrylic courts. They offer a mix of social and competitive tennis for those of all standards, ages, including disability groups.  

Surfing

Another sport that’s just at the beginning of its Olympic career, surfing is already making waves. Here in Tees Valley, we are lucky to have great beaches where you can give surfing a go.  

• Flow Surf School, Saltburn  

• Saltburn Surf School, Saltburn  

• Redcar Flowrider at Everyone Active, Redcar 

Gymnastics

The much-awaited return of Simone Biles gripped us this Olympics, and how can we forget the dazzling costumes. With over 15 different types of gymnastics there is bound to be one for you.  

• Gym world gymnastics club at Middlesbrough College, Middlesbrough 

• Darlington gymnastics club, Darlington  

• Stainsby Gymnastics, Stockton-on-Tees 

• Redcar Gymnastics Club, Redcar. 

Swimming

Whether you’re best at front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly – or just want to make a splash, find your nearest swimming pool and dive right in.   

• Splash, Stockton-on-Tees 

• Dolphin Centre, Darlington – if you’re feeling brave, you can even try out diving! 

• Mill House Leisure Centre, Hartlepool 

• Neptune Leisure Centre and Rainbow Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough 

Athletics

GB gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson amazed us all, as she become the fastest woman in the world over 800m. Why not channel this Olympic spirit and get your fitness back on track with athletics.  

• Middlesbrough Sports Village, Middlesbrough  

• Swift-Tees Community Running club, Hemlington 

• Stockton Striders Athletic Club, Stockton-on-Tees 

• Darlington Harriers & Athletics Clubs 

Bowls

Despite only featuring in the Olympics once, back in 1988, Bowls is the perfect summer activity, suitable for all ages. Perhaps one day we will see the championship of garden games making a return to our TV’s.  

• Hartlepool Bowls & District Indoor club  

• Thornaby Indoor Bowls Club: accommodates to accessibility needs, including monthly sessions for the blind and visually impaired. 

• Borough Park Indoor bowls, Redcar 

So if you’re still riding on that Olympic Games fever why not head down to your local club and give it a go!