Sporting chances

We are known for our love of football, but there is more to the North East and North Cumbria than an afternoon celebrating (or commiserating!) in the stands. With a love of all things sporty running through our veins, there is something to get everyone's heart pumping in our region.

Rugby

Newcastle Falcons

The region’s premiership rubgy union team with one Premiership and four domestic cups to their name.

Football

Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland & Carlisle

Our region has four English Premier and football league teams.

Basketball

Newcastle Eagles

Our region is home to the most successful team in British Basketball League’s history.

Cricket

Durham County Cricket Club

One of eighteen first-class county clubs within the domestic structure of England and Wales.

Here come the girls!

Women’s sport in the region is going from strength-to-strength with a number of thriving top flight women’s teams including Sunderland AFC, Durham FC, and the Newcastle Eagles. Our region also has popular women’s hockey, rugby and cricket leagues.

The world’s biggest half marathon

If you think a long shift is tiring, try sweating it out in the Great North Run, the world’s biggest and best half marathon. The Great North Run, was first staged in 1981 where just over 12,000 people took part on the 13.1 mile course from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields.

Last year saw almost 57,000 runners of all abilities cross the finish line on the coast and millions raised for good causes with more than two-thirds of finishers running to raise money for charities.  For anyone who’s ever taken part, it’s a day to remember and one that makes you proud to be part of the region.

Try your hand at something new...

Kite surfing, Redcar beach, Teesside

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a novice or experienced boarder, Redcar has everything for the kite surfer.

Tennis World, Middlesbrough

There’s an extensive range of tennis programmes for all ages and standards.

Durham Fell Runners, County Durham

This club has members from all walks of life and one thing unites them – a passion for running the less well trodden areas of the beautiful countryside. They run all year round in all weathers, some for the glory, some for the sheer love of it.

Lindisfarne Fencing Club, Tyne and Wear

The club meets in the gym at the Royal Grammar School in Jesmond.

Tees Athletics Club, Tees Valley

From gym and aerobics classes to aqua club and martial arts, this club’s got it all.

Brampton Sailing Club, Cumbria

This club focuses on small dinghies and sails at Talkin Tarn, Brampton in Cumbria. They meet every Sunday morning from March to Boxing Day and on Tuesday evenings from May to September.