WHAT’S HOT: Fitness & Sports in Poole

Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer-led lifesaving and water sports club based at Branksome Chine Beach in Poole. The club provides beach safety education, first aid, rescue training and competitive surf lifesaving for children, teenagers and adults. Members train throughout the year using a mixture of sea, beach and indoor activities, while qualified volunteers also support local beach patrols and promote water safety across the Bournemouth and Poole coastline.

Dolphin Indoor Bowling Club is a large members’ bowls club located near Albany Business Park in Poole. Its facilities include 11 championship-standard indoor bowling rinks, giving members opportunities to enjoy casual bowls, club leagues, competitions and year-round social activities. With approximately 1,000 members, free introductory sessions and equipment supplied for organised taster events, the club welcomes experienced bowlers and complete beginners interested in trying indoor bowls in Poole.

Parkstone Yacht Club is a sailing club based beside Poole Harbour in Parkstone, offering dinghy and yacht racing, cruising, youth sailing and training. Its extensive programme caters for experienced sailors, competitive racers and younger members developing their skills on the water. The club also provides marina, mooring and boatyard facilities, alongside a waterfront clubhouse with dining, social events and views across the harbour.

Poole Amateur Rowing Club offers recreational and competitive rowing from its waterside base near Poole Quay. Established in 1873, it describes itself as Poole’s oldest sports club and aims to make rowing financially accessible to the local community. Newcomers can arrange a free introductory session, making the club suitable for people interested in trying rowing before deciding whether to join.

Poole Athletic Club is an inclusive athletics club based at Ashdown Track in Canford Heath. Open to athletes aged eight and above, the club provides coached opportunities in road running, track and field, cross-country and para athletics. Sessions cater for different ages, abilities and ambitions, from beginners looking to become more active to experienced athletes training for league, county and national competitions.

Poole Hockey Club is an inclusive field hockey club based at Ashdown Leisure Centre in Canford Heath. Founded in 1893, it offers competitive and social hockey for more than 150 members aged from five to over 70. The club runs men’s and women’s teams, junior coaching, league matches and social activities, welcoming experienced players, complete beginners and people returning to hockey after a break.

Poole Netball Club is a performance-focused netball club providing coaching and competitive opportunities for girls aged six and above, with a structured pathway from Mini Stars through to senior netball. The Silver CAPS-accredited club offers small squad sizes, year-round indoor training and dedicated coaching designed to help players develop their skills and progress towards regional, national, academy and elite-level competition.

Poole Runners is a friendly running and athletics club welcoming beginners, experienced runners and junior athletes. The club offers social runs, road running, track and field, speed sessions, cross-country and longer-distance training. Its main adult club night takes place in Broadstone, with additional sessions held around Poole and at Ashdown Track. Beginners can also look out for the club’s seasonal Couch to 5K programme.

Poole Town Cricket Club is a large community cricket club offering adult, women’s, girls’ and junior cricket across several grounds in Poole. Its programme includes Saturday league teams, midweek cricket, women’s softball and hardball, and youth teams from introductory All Stars and Dynamos sessions through to under-15 level. New players of different ages and standards are welcome, with ECB-qualified coaching available for younger members.

Poole Town Ladies FC is an established women’s football club offering competitive senior and development-team football in Poole. Originally founded during the 1980s, the club welcomes experienced players, women returning to football and newcomers looking for a fresh challenge. Its first team competes at regional level, while the development side provides a pathway into senior football, supported by links with Poole Town FC Wessex for younger female players progressing through the game.

Poole Town Youth Football Club is a family-friendly grassroots football club offering mixed and girls-only teams for children and teenagers aged six to 18. Established in 1984, the Dorset FA-affiliated club provides qualified coaching, regular training and competitive matches in local youth leagues. Younger children can also begin through its Little Fins sessions, making it a suitable Poole football club for beginners as well as developing players seeking structured team football.

Poole Yacht Club is a sailing and boating club based on the Hamworthy shoreline of Poole Harbour. The club welcomes new members throughout the year and provides opportunities for yacht cruising, racing, dinghy sailing and watersports training for adults and younger sailors. Members can also access marina berths, swinging moorings, boat storage and maintenance services, alongside a waterfront clubhouse and an active social programme.