| In terms of sporting prowess two terms are | | | | are plenty of municipal tennis courts, high quality tennis |
| synonymous with Newcastle-Upon-Tyne; Newcastle | | | | events are few and far between. Currently not even |
| United FC at St James' Park and international athletics | | | | the highly suitable Metroradio Arena Newcastle has a |
| at the Gateshead International Stadium, which is a | | | | professional tennis competition on the horizon. |
| major venue on the international athletics scene and | | | | Golf - whilst municipal golf courses and driving ranges |
| the home of the English Institute of Sport. | | | | in Newcastle are rather sparse, there are some |
| Newcastle-Upon-Tyne also supports the full range of | | | | excellent, and well priced, private clubs in the area. |
| sporting clubs and recreational facilities expected of a | | | | Although up in the north of Northumberland, Saley Hall |
| modern large city. Below are some of the major | | | | being probably the best well known. In the past this |
| features it offers. | | | | quite young course has hosted European PGA tour |
| Football - To use its correct name association football | | | | competitions and is a world class golfing venue. The |
| (also known as soccer and simply 'footie' to some) is | | | | City of Newcastle Golf Club also has an excellent |
| not a game or even a merely a sport on Tyneside - | | | | reputation for its quality and the friendly welcome you'll |
| but a passion! Support for the Premier league | | | | get. The club was founded in 1891 and moved to its |
| Newcastle United FC (also called the Magpies | | | | present location off the A1 near Gosforth, in 1907, the |
| because of their distinctive black and white striped kit) | | | | course was designed by the legendary Harry Vardon. |
| is fervent and unwavering. Given the recent form of | | | | Green fees are around £25. |
| the team in the last few years, outsiders to Newcastle | | | | Swimming - information about municipal swimming |
| might well find this difficult to understand, but, such is | | | | pools can be obtained from the city council's website. |
| the seriousness and passion with which the team is | | | | Unfortunately, the City of Newcastle does not have a |
| supported by the 'Geordies'. Mention any of these | | | | full length pool, but it does have a City of Newcastle |
| names; Jackie Milburn, Malcolm MacDonald (aka | | | | Amateur Swimming Club, which has helped to nurture |
| SuperMac) or Paul Gascoigne to a Magpies' fan and | | | | some swimmers of international standards. |
| you'll see their eyes glaze over with emotion. There | | | | Rugby - whilst there is not currently a Rugby League |
| are of course a host of other football clubs and | | | | club in Newcastle, it does have a well known Rugby |
| leagues in and around Newcastle. More notable teams | | | | Union club. Newcastle Falcons currently play in the |
| include; Gateshead who play in the Northern Premier | | | | RFU (English Rugby Football Union) Premiership. Their |
| League and Wallsend in the Northern Football Alliance | | | | ground is in Kingston Park, a suburb of the city. Their |
| Premier division. | | | | most famous player must surely be Jonny Wilkinson |
| Athletics - although being across the river Tyne in | | | | who kicked the winning 'drop-goal' for England in the |
| Gateshead the Gateshead International Stadium is a | | | | dying moments of the 2003 world cup. Rob Andrew, |
| major sporting venue in the area. Its main function is | | | | Director of Rugby, was also recently appointed 'Elite |
| being home to the Gateshead Harriers Athletics club. | | | | Rugby Director' to the English RFU. Other local rugby |
| However, it is better known as a venue for | | | | union clubs include; Gateshead Fell, Blaydon, Winlaton, |
| international standard athletics meetings and events | | | | Ryton, North Shields and Percy Park. |
| and has hosted the European cup twice in 1989 and | | | | Runners - if you enjoy running, or are at the more |
| 2000. The English Institute of Sport is developing | | | | serious end of jogging, the annual Great North Run |
| athletic talent in the area with a particular focus on the | | | | might well tempt you. The half-marathon (13.1 miles/21 |
| 2012 Olympics. | | | | kilometres) course runs from Spital Tongues in |
| Cricket - although Northumberland is not in the English | | | | Newcastle to South Shields and is one of the biggest |
| cricket county championship the city does have a | | | | events in the world road running calendar. |
| thriving cricket club. Newcastle CC play in the North | | | | Information about all sporting facilities available through |
| East Premier League Division 1. | | | | the city council can be found through their Newcastle |
| Two sports in Newcastle play their home fixtures at | | | | Leisure web-site. |
| the Metroradio Arena Newcastle, these are: | | | | You could also consider walking in one of the city's |
| Ice Hockey - the Newcastle Vipers who play in the | | | | parks or take a short bus ride or drive into the |
| British Elite ice hockey league are one of the top 10 | | | | Northumberland countryside for a walk or bike ride. |
| clubs in the country. | | | | Sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing, diving and even Malibu |
| Basketball - the Newcastle Eagles play in the British | | | | board surfing are some of the water-sports available |
| Basketball League Championship and are also one of | | | | in and around Newcastle. Fishing is immensely popular |
| the top ten clubs in the country. | | | | in England and not only the River Tyne provides |
| Tennis - Apart from a David Lloyd Tennis Centre, this | | | | opportunities for the keen angler. A full list of venues is |
| sport is not very well served by the city. Whilst there | | | | available through Visit Northumberland. |