New women's rugby team seeks players

Inspired by the Rugby World Cup? Act on that inspiration!

Bec Old Boys rugby club is based at Openview in Earlsfield. They're trying to set up a brand new ladies' side and are looking for players. No experience or knowledge of rugby (or any sport) is necessary. It's going to start off being about getting fit and staying fit and evolve into a rugby team over time.

Daisy says: "I'm a UKCC qualified coach and have a great team of people around me helping me to set this up."

For more information or to sign up, email Daisy at Bec Old Boys.

Battersea Ironsides on the road to Twickenham

Local rugby team Battersea Ironsides have had a cracking season, winning Surrey One League and being promoted up to the London Leagues for the first time in their 72-year history.

They're now playing at Twickenham on the 3rd of May and The Earlsfield is hosting a pre-match breakfast and after-party.

Full details for 3 May at HQ available at http://t.co/W4h4Kh0WJZ #ironsatHQ #biggreenmachine #batterseaspower pic.twitter.com/qBJsYEpbcX
— Ironsides Rugby Snr (@IronsidesRugSnr) April 19, 2015

They say: 

RFU JUNIOR VASE FINAL
IRONSIDES RFC vs NORTHALLERTON RFC AT TWICKENHAM!!
KICK OFF: 11:00
COME IN CLUB COLOURS TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST DAY IN THE CLUB’S HISTORY 
The day kicks off with Bacon Rolls in the Clubhouse from 0745 ahead of the players coach leaving at 0830. A supporters coach will be leaving at 0845.
If you’d like a space on the supporters coach, please email 2nd.XV@ironsidesrugby.com and Justin will confirm your space if there is availability.
The Earlsfield have also arranged a pre-book / ticket only breakfast at their pub (511 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield) for others looking for a good feed pre-game time!
You can buy your tickets at:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/pre-twickenham-breakfast-tickets-16480320081

Tickets for the game cost £5 for adults, £2 for children (15yrs and under) and free for babes in arm. They are available online at:
https://www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/details/event.aspx?itemref=11578
(or alternatively at the gate - ticket office opens at 10am)

Pre-game on the day, you’ll find us in the the West Car Park from 0930 with our flags waving. We’ll have supporters t-shirts for sale and some other bits to make HQ feel at home for our boys.
You can help support the boys ahead of the day by using the hashtags below on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Up to date scores will be posted on Twitter @IronsidesRugSnr and on the Ironsides RFC Facebook page.
After the game, there will be drinks in the Ironsides Clubhouse followed by an afterparty hosted by The Earlsfield from 1700.

Getting fit in Earlsfield

Now that the weather is finally improving (or, at the very least, the days are longer), lots of people seem to be out pounding the pavements in Earlsfield. But what other options are there for getting out and active? You might be surprised at the range of activities on your doorstep.

If your club or class is missing, please leave a comment and I'll update the page.

Classes and activities

 

From golf to kickboxing to pilates, you can find it all in Earlsfield. Many of the gyms and clubs offer classes too, so be sure to check them out!

Active Lifestyles 50+ programme - run by Wandsworth Council
Central London Golf Centre - located on Burntwood Lane
Fishing - in the southern basin of the Wandsworth Common lake
Fit For a Princess - 13 classes a week on Wandsworth Common including cardio pilates and kickboxing
Grove Pilates - a range of classes and activities and you can book online
ProPhysiotherapy: located in a studio off Garratt Lane, morning and evening classes, plus men's pilates on Saturdays, antenatal and post-natal pilates, and post-natal circuits with free baby-sitting, book on enquiries@prophysiotherapy.co.uk
MA&Y - yoga and martial arts in Earlsfield library on Monday and Thursday evenings.
Wildflower Yoga - in the same studio as Grove Pilates, Monday and Tuesday evenings book as above
Jiva Health (formerly Anoushka's Yoga) - yoga classes in St. Andrew's Parish Hall in Waynflete Street
whYoga - classes in Earlsfield Library
Visit Wandsworth Council's website to book a sports pitch or tennis court on council grounds. Find out what sports activities the council offers at which venue.

 

Gyms

 

There are gyms for all budgets and tastes in Earlsfield and surrounds.

Crossfit Bold - strength and conditioning in a warehouse on the Haslemere industrial estate
easyGym - opening autumn 2014 in Southside but accepting memberships now
Nuffield Health - in King George's Park
Pure Gym - on Wandsworth Road at the top of Garratt Lane
Switch Gym - women-only gym near Burntwood Lane
Virgin Active - in Southside Shopping Centre
Wandle Recreation Centre - run by DC Leisure on behalf of the council

Clubs

 

Battersea Ironsides - on Burntwood Lane for rugby, cricket, and football
Earlsfield Amateur Boxing Club - a long and proud Earlsfield history
Heathfield Club - a bowls club on Sandgate Lane
Magdalen Park Bowling Club - on Magdalen Road
Magdalen Park Lawn Tennis Club - with bookable facilities, coaching, and tournaments
Run Club - on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
South London Bowling Club - established in 1900
The Spencer Club - based in Fieldview and supporting hockey, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, and squash
TYGA Earlsfield Martial Arts - based at Beatrix Potter Primary School
Wandilea Bowls and Social Club - Lawn bowls sports club playing within Surrey County Bowls Association
The Wandle Runners - open to all runners looking for a group to train with. Follow them on Twitter for the latest news or visit their website.

Green spaces

 

If you just want to get out of the house, Earlsfield is home to some great parks and green spaces. Some of them have running tracks and other facilities too. Visit the websites for more information.

Garratt Green - including playground
Garratt Park - including basketball court and playground
King George's Park - including part of the Wandle Trail
Wandsworth Common - a range of spaces and facilities

Where to watch the Six Nations in Earlsfield

Let it never be said that Earlsfield doesn't cater for rugby fans. Known for having a significant South African, Kiwi, and Aussie population, the local pubs welcome fans of all nations to watch matches on big screens.

If you're looking to watch the Six Nations matches, there are some great options in Earlsfield.

The Wandle is showing the matches and I hear rumours of a marquee as well. It doesn't look like they're taking bookings, but check with them directly.

The Halfway is also showing all the matches. They have match times listed on their events page.

The Leather Bottle is advertising the first round on them for table bookings of four or more people during Six Nations matches.

So get out there, support your team, and support a local pub too!