Mill Hill - Sport at the centre of our community

If you just want to find out about the sports facilities and clubs in Mill Hill, feel free to skip the rambling preamble and scroll down to the list of links to Mill Hills Sports Clubs below :-

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Every Thursday I follow a ritual. At 8.15pm I set off to Powerleague in Pursley Road. Every other week, I pick up big Paul and the following week he picks me up (He's off in Ireland for Easter, so it didn't happen this week). At 8.30pm, we march onto court 1 and kick a ball around for an hour. We then (at least the less smelly ones) have a shower and retire to the Three Hammers pub. I'll have three pints of shandy if I'm driving and something stronger if I'm getting a lift. We talk rubbish for a couple of hours and then set off home. The youngest member of the squad is Julian who is in his thirties, the oldest is John who is 61. Most of us are in our 40's. I've played football at one level or another since I was old enough to kick a ball and along with music is one of my passions in life. Of our squad, Steve, Adel and Russ were friends from my days at Orange Hill Senior High school. Over the 13 years I've been playing with this particular group, I've made some good new friends and it is one of the weeks highlights. I always feel the weekend starts on Thursday night.

I'm sure you're all thinking "very interesting, what the hell is he on about". Well I'm illustrating the point that sport is one of the best ways to keep in touch with old friends, make new friends and stay fit and healthy. My family is very sport orientated. My eldest daughter is a national swimming champion with Barnet Copthall swimming club and my son is the first team goalie with Watling FC under 10's. Whilst sport isn't for everyone (middle daughter prefers art), for those who do play it regularly, it is a vital part of life. Sports build communities. It gives us common goals and interests. It can give us a support network to fall back on. In this, my second in a series on life in Mill Hill, I thought I'd focus on a few of the sports clubs in the area. If you enjoy sport (or have children who might), then hopefully this blog will help you find something to do.
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Swimming -  Barnet Copthall Swimming Club. A club for swimmers of all levels. As well as the elite squad, there is masters swimming, a club squad and various other activities. They also do diving and synchro swimming.
http://www.barnetcopthall.com/ - Club website
http://www.barnetcopthall.blogspot.com/ - Club blog

Football  - Mill Hill Village football Club

Founded in 1868, Mill Hills oldest football team. Play at Burtonhole Lane Sports Ground.
http://millhillvillagefc.intheteam.com/modules/page/Page.aspx?pc=home&mid=30539&pmid=0

Hockey - Mill Hill Hockey Club

Based at Mill Hill Sports Club, Aerodrome Road. Founded in 1881.
http://www.millhillhockeyclub.co.uk/

Squash - Squash at Mill Hill Sports Club.

http://www.millhill.co.uk/squash.html

Cricket - Mill Hill Village Cricket club 

Burtonhole Lane, founded 1868.
http://www.millhillvillage.moonfruit.com/

Athletics - Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers 

Barnet Copthall Stadium. Founded in 1890. Elite Athletics club.
http://www.sbharriers.co.uk/

Gaelic Football - St Keirnans 

Est 1985
http://stkiernans.co.uk/page8.htm

Rugby - Mill Hill Rugby Club 

Copthall.
http://www.millhillrugby.co.uk/

Golf - Mill Hill Golf Club 

Barnet Way
http://www.millhillgc.co.uk/

Brazillian JuJitsu

Bunns Lane Works,
http://www.millhillju-jitsuclub.com/

There are plenty of other sports clubs in Mill Hill, please feel free to add any you know as a comment. One thing all of these clubs have in common is that over the years I've used their facilities in some way shape or form. Some more than others so whilst I've played football at the Village FC, I've only propped up the bar at the Golf club for a friends Birthday party. The point is that they are local amenities. There is a sports scene and a social scene at some level with all of them. The only way these clubs and the dozens of other clubs will thrive is if people join and take part. I happen to believe that the stronger these clubs are, the better for everyone in Mill Hill and thats a damn fine reason to give them a good plug (and just for the record, none of them paid me for the plug either).