Select a team to find out more:

Archery

Image of an archery target and arrow

If you are interested in pursuing archery as a sport (either casually or competitively), Bournemouth Archery Club offers a supportive and sociable environment to develop your archery skills.

The club runs ‘Introduction to Archery’ courses throughout the year, and successful completion of the course is a prerequisite if you wish to become a club member. 

Members’ benefits include access to qualified archery coaches and practice sessions in the shooting range during the indoor season.

What’s more, a number of archers have gone on to represent the club at county, national and international level.

Cricket

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With a total of 20 teams, Bournemouth Cricket Club is the largest cricket club in Dorset.

The men’s, women’s and youth teams play in various leagues, including the Southern Premier League Premier Division, Dorset Cricket League and Hampshire League (among many more).

Bournemouth Colts is the team’s vibrant youth section, and All Stars Cricket is aimed at children aged five to eight years.

Whatever your age or ability, the club has a team for everyone (including women’s softball cricket and TT25).

Plus, if you are looking for a lively social scene, there’s a jam-packed calendar throughout the year with everything from quiz nights to a summer fayre and an annual dinner.

​Football

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Bournemouth Sports Football Club (BSFC) is an FA accredited club. This accreditation is only awarded to clubs who provide a high-quality football experience, are well run, sustainable, and place child safeguarding, quality coaching and safety as paramount.

There are currently 25 teams at BSFC, who play across both the Dorset and Hampshire leagues and have enjoyed equal amounts of success over recent years. Training for all teams takes place at Chapel Gate.

Find out more about football at Chapel Gate

Hockey

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Whether you have played hockey before or are new to the sport, Bournemouth Hockey Club welcomes players of all ages and abilities.

With 21 teams in total (11 senior and 10 junior), from the under 8s to the over 80s, the club provides its 300 members with the opportunity to play hockey both competitively and just for fun.

At competitive level, the Men’s and Ladies teams play across a number of local divisions including the Premier, Hampshire, South Clubs and Wessex Masters.

And with a handful of players having reached international level, plus an array of players in the national development squads, the future certainly looks bright for the club.

Rifle shooting

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Whether you’ve tried your hand at target shooting before or are new to the sport, Bournemouth Small Bore Rifle & Pistol Club is open to everyone, whatever your ability.

The club is affiliated to the National Small-Bore Rifle Association and approved by the Home Office and Dorset Police. The club uses air weapons and .22 rimfire guns.

Based at Chapel Gate during the winter months, the club makes good use of its indoor, purpose-built range, the Heygate Vernon Range. This is a 25-yard facility with a target retrieval system.

Once you’ve become a member of the club and depending on your capability, there is the opportunity to take part in competitions, at club, county or national level.

Rugby

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Based at Chapel Gate for over 30 years, Bournemouth Rugby Club (BRC) has thriving Seniors, Colts, Minis and Youth sections (including Girls and Touch rugby).

There are 21 teams across Seniors, Ladies, Juniors and Minis, from the U6s through to the BRC First XV, who play in the South West Premier League.

BRC also play wheelchair rugby, with U14/15 and U18 girls’ teams.

Encouraging a love of rugby at an early age in a supportive and fun environment is fundamental to the club, who coach in 18 schools per week via Rippa Rugby, along with their apprentices.

BRC also hold an annual Youth and Mini Fest, where approximately 160 teams, from U7s to U16s, compete.

Squash

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From competitive matches against other club members to the popular Friday night doubles league, inter-club squash in the Dorset leagues to Juniors and Open sessions, Bournemouth Squash Club welcomes all abilities and playing levels.

And it’s not just squash; the club also competes in racketball leagues.

Plus, members and non-members (including Juniors) can benefit from training with England qualified coaches.

Table tennis

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As one of the largest table tennis clubs in the region, Bournemouth Sports Table Tennis Club has something for everyone, from juniors to seniors, members to non-members.

At a competitive level, multiple teams play in the local Bournemouth and Wimborne leagues and use the four tables (which are available 24/7) to practice on and play league matches throughout the week.

If you haven’t played before and are keen to start, the club runs informal, open play sessions every Sunday evening for non-members and members.

TeamBU

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In addition to the selection of Bournemouth-based sports clubs who play at Chapel Gate, it’s also the main outdoor playing venue for TeamBU, our community of high-performing athletes.

Every Wednesday afternoon during term time, TeamBU compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) league at Chapel Gate across a variety of sports including American football, cricket, football, hockey, lacrosse and rugby.

And, as the sporting season draws to a close in May, Chapel Gate and its facilities are transformed for the annual South Coast varsity between BU and Solent University, who battle it out for the sought-after Varsity trophy.