Sport in Milton Keynes
Encyclopedia
Sport in Milton Keynes covers a range of professional and amateur sport in the Borough of Milton Keynes
. There are professional teams in football, ice hockey
and basketball
. Most other sports feature at amateur level.
and Shenley
/Loughton
.
Milton Keynes AC is one of England's leading Athletic clubs. Their web page is here.
just across the A5 from Central Milton Keynes
, badminton is an important sport. The Milton Keynes club website is here.
are the town's professional basket ball club, sponsored by Marshall Amplification
and playing in the English Premier Division
. Amateur teams include the Wildcats, Shenley Scorpions Basketball Club http://www.shenleybasketball.org.uk, MK All Starts and MK Lions Ladies Basketball Club.
.
In September 2008 Milton Keynes played host to the Race Headquarters for The Tour of Britain in the build up to the race. Stage Two of the race began in front of the Central railway station, before heading to Newbury.
In 2009, Milton Keynes hosted the first round of The Tour Series, a new programme of ten town and city centre cycling races.
), West Bletchley
and Wavendon
. Just outside the Borough
, there are courses in Aspley Guise
, Soulbury
and Woburn
.
. There are also two water based pitches at Woughton on the Green, which is the home ground of Milton Keynes Men's and Women's Hockey club. Teams from Milton Keynes Hockey Club compete at many levels in leagues covering the South East of England.
s, Milton Keynes is a favoured location for anglers. For further details see MKWEB article and the Milton Keynes Angling Association.
, formed in 2004 following the relocation of Wimbledon F.C.
to the town in 2003. The team is based at Stadium:mk in Denbigh and playing in League One
during the 2010–11 season.
In December 2009, the English FA awarded 'Candidate Host City' status to Milton Keynes, as part of the unsuccessful English 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
.
clubs in the Borough include:
teams, these being Milton Keynes Lightning
(founded in 2002) of the EPL
and Milton Keynes Thunder
(founded in 2001) of the ENL
. Both teams play at the 2,500 capacity Planet Ice Arena which is situated close to Milton Keynes Central railway station
. The town also used to be home to professional team Milton Keynes Kings
from 1990–1996 and 1998-2002 who played at the same arena, although during 1990-1996 it was known as the bladerunner arena.
There are also a number of junior, ladies and recreational adult teams who also play at the arena.
Club was Milton Keynes's first korfball club, founded in 2004, and won the Oxfordshire League and Cup double in 2006, 2007 and 2008. A second club, Milton Keynes City, launched in autumn 2006. Milton Keynes City were successful in winning the OKA league 2 title in 2010. A third club, Milton Keynes Roos, in mid 2007 was launched.. All three clubs welcome and coach all players of both sexes from beginner level upwards. Milton Keynes has been awarded the 2010 European U21 Korfball Championships, to be held in Arena:MK
.
, Ju Jitsu, Judo
, Karate
, Tae Kwon Do and T'ai chi).
Milton Keynes is the home to the central region of Minakami Bushido Karate Dojo, which practices Shotokan Karate. The club has classes aimed at 4-7yr olds known as the Tiny Tigers, then main classes which students of any age can attended, meaning children and adults train together. There are lessons most days at various leisure centres across Milton keynes including Shenley and Stantonbury leisure centre's Lessons and gradings are structured around Khion, Kata, Kumite, weapons training and conditioning to improve strength, control, fitness and co-ordination.
, it is not surprising that Milton Keynes has connect baions with motor racing. The Red Bull Racing
Formula One
team is based here (as was the Arrows
and Brabham teams until they went bankrupt in 2002 and 1992 respectively). The Kart racing
track in Rooksley, owned by Daytona Motorsport, is considered one of the better circuits in the UK. ( 52°02′29"N 0°47′08"W )
or freerunning movement. Due to its urban landscape, the Central Milton Keynes
area is an ideal area for parkour activity.
. There are five long established leagues which cover the town: Bletchley Friendly, Milton Keynes Clubs, Milton Keynes Sunday, Milton Keynes Tuesday and Newport Pagnell. Two current Interleague teams exist, Milton Keynes 'A' and MK Shooters (Formerly Milton Keynes 'B'), which have dominated the Buckinghamshire Interleague since its reformation in 2003. Milton Keynes has also provided the backbone of the Buckinghamshire
County squad since the early 1990s due to the town being the long time base of the Buckinghamshire County Pool Association, although BCPA currently play from and are based in Leighton Buzzard
in Bedfordshire
.
The club was founded in 1995 and hosted the inaugural Milton Keynes Regatta on May 22, 2010. The second annual Milton Keynes Regatta was held on May 21, 2011.
Bletchley RUFC
Bletchley Rugby Club, who play at Manor Fields
, routinely put out three Senior XVs, a ladies side and a Vets side. The 1st XV play in South West 1 East (level 6) and the 2nd XVs in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon 2 North table. The 3rd XV and Vets side play ad hoc friendly local fixtures.
Bletchley Ladies is a developing team which is intending to enter the RFUW leagues in the 2011 season.
In addition to the 120+ adult section, the club has a Youth (U7s to U17s) set-up with over 200 members. In the 2005/06 season the club's U17 squad were Buckinghamshire
County Cup champions, and finalists in the South West Division Bowl.
The playing activities at Bletchley are supported by a large number of volunteers, including the 50+ Vice-Presidents of whom many are ex-players. Bletchley celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2007/08 season.
In 2003 Bletchley RUFC were the first sports organisation in Milton Keynes/North Bucks to again the Rugby Football Union
'Seal of Approval' and Sport England
Clubmark. In 2006 the club gained Stage 2 accreditation from the same bodies.
Milton Keynes RUFC
In March 2006, Milton Keynes RUFC won the Bucks Plate against Slough RUFC who are in the league above. Milton Keynes went on to finish as runners up in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier League and were promoted to Southern Counties North. The Club has over 400 members including a mini and junior section with players between the ages of 6 and 18.
Milton Keynes RUFC began as Wolverton RUFC but changed its name in 1973, based in Greenleys
. In April 2011, the club transferred to a new ground in Emerson Valley
. The move was opposed by the local community, but planning permission was granted on 6 September 2007.
Milton Keynes Under 15s were 2009/10 County Cup Champions and First Division Champions with 5 players playing for Buckinghamshire. Two players play for Wasps Academy and one player plays for England Under 16's.
Olney RFC
Olney has for many years been a rugby town with its rugby team dating back from 1877, called Olney Rugby Football Club, which has four regular senior teams. They also cater for Colts rugby, women's rugby and mini rugby. The club holds many social events for the town, one of these being a Rugby 7's tournament, with competitors coming from all over the country. Olney's Rugby is of a high standard in amateur rugby, winning the Lewis Shield in 2007, the Southern Counties North League in 2008 and the Bucks County Cup in 2010. Olney 1st XV play in the South West 1 East (level 6) league.
Olney Women's team compete in the RFUW National Championship.
. However, both sites have closed: the former is now a housing district and the latter is a brownfield site with plans announced by the leaseholders of National Bowl
to redevelop it (which have yet to materialise).
. The performance swimming club is City of Milton Keynes SC.
Other club venues in the league include Greenleys
, Newport Pagnell
, Woburn Sands
, Stony Stratford
and the Open University
, amongst others.
club formed in 2006 from the ashes of corporate team Abbey VC. It plays out of Oakgrove Leisure Centre.
In its first season the men's team completed a league double taking by the Herts and Northants crowns.
, Alex Shane
, Kenny Omega, Davey Richards
and British wrestling legend Johnny Kincaid. The school was originally in Bletchley Leisure centre until the final session in December 2009. The promotion runs events in Milton Keynes
, Luton
, Dunstable
, Hitchin
and other towns in the region. The training school moved to Atlas Fitness in Wolverton in January 2010.
Milton Keynes (borough)
The Borough of Milton Keynes is a unitary authority and borough in south central England, at the northern tip of the South East England Region. For ceremonial purposes, it is in the county of Buckinghamshire...
. There are professional teams in football, ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. Most other sports feature at amateur level.
Archery
There are archery clubs in Newport PagnellNewport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell is a town in the Borough of Milton Keynes , England. It is separated by the M1 motorway from Milton Keynes itself, though part of the same urban area...
and Shenley
Shenley, Milton Keynes
Shenley is one of the parts of Buckinghamshire that went to make up the "new city" of Milton Keynes in the 1960s...
/Loughton
Loughton, Milton Keynes
Loughton is an ancient village, modern district and civil parish in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The village spreads between Watling Street and the modern A5 road, to the west of, and about 1 mile from, the city centre....
.
Armwrestling
Milton Keynes Armwrestling club has produced some of the best in the country, this year(2011) coming away from the British championships with 1st place left&right 110 kg+ class, 1st place left&right 75 kg class and 2nd place left&right in the 80 kg class.Athletics
MarshallMarshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
Milton Keynes AC is one of England's leading Athletic clubs. Their web page is here.
Badminton
With the National Badminton Training Centre located in LoughtonLoughton, Milton Keynes
Loughton is an ancient village, modern district and civil parish in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The village spreads between Watling Street and the modern A5 road, to the west of, and about 1 mile from, the city centre....
just across the A5 from Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes is the central business district of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England and a civil parish in its own right.The district is approximately 2.5 km long by 1 km wide and occupies some of the highest land in Milton Keynes...
, badminton is an important sport. The Milton Keynes club website is here.
Basketball
Marshall Milton Keynes LionsMilton Keynes Lions
The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL...
are the town's professional basket ball club, sponsored by Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
and playing in the English Premier Division
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
. Amateur teams include the Wildcats, Shenley Scorpions Basketball Club http://www.shenleybasketball.org.uk, MK All Starts and MK Lions Ladies Basketball Club.
Cricket
- Milton Keynes CC is based in Milton Keynes VillageMiddleton, Milton KeynesMiddleton is a district in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The district is centred on Milton Keynes Village, the village that gave its name to the 'New City' of Milton Keynes, which began to be developed during the late 1960s...
and plays in the Morrant Four Counties Cricket League. - Milton Keynes Park CC is based at Campbell ParkCampbell ParkCampbell Park is a district in east-central and south-central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England, the central park for Milton Keynes, and a civil parish that includes other districts. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 13,364...
. It won the BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
Senior Cup in 2004. - Shenley Church End CC is based at Manor Fields Fenny StratfordFenny StratfordFenny Stratford is a constituent town of Milton Keynes, ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire, England and in the Civil Parish of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. Originally an independent town, it was included in the Milton Keynes "designated area" area in 1967...
and plays in the Morrant Four Counties Cricket League.
Cycling
Team Milton Keynes and North Bucks Road Club are the leading clubs for racing cyclists, with Team MK also incorporating Triathlon and Duathlon as well as Mountain Biking. Milton Keynes Cycling Association also holds circuit racing at the BowlNational Bowl
The National Bowl is an entertainment venue in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The site was a former clay-pit , filled in and raised to form an amphitheatre using sub-soil excavated by the many new developments in the area and it has a current maximum capacity of 65,000...
.
In September 2008 Milton Keynes played host to the Race Headquarters for The Tour of Britain in the build up to the race. Stage Two of the race began in front of the Central railway station, before heading to Newbury.
In 2009, Milton Keynes hosted the first round of The Tour Series, a new programme of ten town and city centre cycling races.
Golf
There are courses at Abbey Hill (Two Mile AshTwo Mile Ash
Two Mile Ash is a district in north west Milton Keynes, two miles south of Stony Stratford, just off Watling Street. The district was named after the Two Mile Ash toll gate on Watling Street. It is one of the larger districts, but a large part of its area is taken up by an 18-hole golf course....
), West Bletchley
West Bletchley
West Bletchley is a district and civil parish that covers the western part of Bletchley, a constituent town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, England. The parish covers that part of Bletchley that is south of Standing Way , west of the West Coast Main Line and north of Water Eaton Brook...
and Wavendon
Wavendon
Wavendon is a village and civil parish in the south east of the Borough of Milton Keynes and ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire, England. The village name is an Old English language word, and means 'Wafa's hill'. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 969 the village was recorded as Wafandun. The...
. Just outside the Borough
Milton Keynes (borough)
The Borough of Milton Keynes is a unitary authority and borough in south central England, at the northern tip of the South East England Region. For ceremonial purposes, it is in the county of Buckinghamshire...
, there are courses in Aspley Guise
Aspley Guise
Aspley Guise is a village and civil parish located in central Bedfordshire, England. It is just over the county border from Woburn Sands in the Borough of Milton Keynes and about by road to Milton Keynes Centre and to the M1 London to Yorkshire motorway junction 13.-Notable buildings:The...
, Soulbury
Soulbury
Soulbury is a village and also a civil parish within Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, England. It is located in the Aylesbury Vale, about three miles south of the Milton Keynes urban area, three miles north of Wing. The village name is Anglo Saxon in origin, and means 'stronghold in a...
and Woburn
Woburn, Bedfordshire
Woburn is a small Saxon village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England. It is situated about southeast of the centre of Milton Keynes, and about south of junction 13 of the M1 motorway and is a popular tourist attraction.-History:...
.
Hockey
There are many all-weather pitches throughout Milton Keynes - most of which are within school grounds, including the two pitches at StantonburyStantonbury
Stantonbury is a district of Milton Keynes, ceremonial Buckinghamshire, England. It is situated at the northern edge, between Great Linford and Wolverton...
. There are also two water based pitches at Woughton on the Green, which is the home ground of Milton Keynes Men's and Women's Hockey club. Teams from Milton Keynes Hockey Club compete at many levels in leagues covering the South East of England.
Fishing
With its miles of river and canal bank and its balancing lakeBalancing lake
A balancing lake is a term used in the U.K. describing an element of an urban drainage system used to control flooding by temporarily storing flood waters...
s, Milton Keynes is a favoured location for anglers. For further details see MKWEB article and the Milton Keynes Angling Association.
League
The only Football League team based in Milton Keynes is Milton Keynes Dons F.C.Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
, formed in 2004 following the relocation of Wimbledon F.C.
Relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football prior to a "fairytale" rise through the divisions following election to The Football League...
to the town in 2003. The team is based at Stadium:mk in Denbigh and playing in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
during the 2010–11 season.
In December 2009, the English FA awarded 'Candidate Host City' status to Milton Keynes, as part of the unsuccessful English 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
English 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
England 2018 was the Football Association's unsuccessful bid for the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. FIFA invited bidding countries to bid for either the 2018 or the 2022 finals, or both...
.
Non-League
The better known non-LeagueNon-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
clubs in the Borough include:
- Milton Keynes CityMilton Keynes City F.C.Milton Keynes City Football Club are a defunct football club that was based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The name has been used by two English non-League football teams from the Milton Keynes area during the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s....
are as of 2009 defunct as a senior football club. This name has been used by at least two clubs — in the first instance Bletchley Town became Milton Keynes City in 1974 before being wound up in 1985, then Mercedes-Benz assumed the name from 1998 to 2003. In the years before their demise, the second incarnation of the team reached the Premier Division of the Spartan South Midlands League. The name is associated solely for junior football - New Bradwell St PeterNew Bradwell St Peter F.C.New Bradwell St Peter F.C. is a football club based in New Bradwell in Milton Keynes, England. The club was formed in 1902 and joined the South Midlands League in 1970. As of the 2011–12 season they are members of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One.-External links:...
are members of the Spartan South Midlands LeagueSpartan South Midlands Football LeagueThe Spartan South Midlands Football League is an English football league covering Hertfordshire, northwestern Greater London, central Buckinghamshire and southern Bedfordshire...
Division One. - Newport Pagnell TownNewport Pagnell Town F.C.Newport Pagnell Town F.C. is a football club based at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire in England.-History:The Swans were founded in 1963 as Newport Pagnell Wanderers. In 1964 they joined the North Bucks & District Football League, winning the Division Three shield at their first attempt...
— "The Swans" are currently members of the United Counties LeagueUnited Counties Football LeagueThe United Counties Football League is an English football league covering Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, as well as parts of Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. It has a total of four divisions, two for first teams and two for reserve teams...
Premier Division. - Stony StratfordStony Stratford Town F.C.Stony Stratford Town F.C. is a football club based in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England that joined the South Midlands League in 1947. For the 2011-12 season, the first team is a member of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One....
are members of the Spartan South Midlands LeagueSpartan South Midlands Football LeagueThe Spartan South Midlands Football League is an English football league covering Hertfordshire, northwestern Greater London, central Buckinghamshire and southern Bedfordshire...
Division One. - WolvertonWolverton A.F.C.Wolverton Association Football Club, often known simply as Wolverton, was an English football team representing the town of Wolverton . The club's motto was "In Omnia Paratus" . The club was wound up in 1992...
, the oldest club in the area folded, were reinstigated, but are currently in abeyance. In the years before going into administration, they reached the Premier Division of the Spartan South Midlands League. Until recently, it had the oldest (and almost certainly the first) football stand and at one point in the club's history the longest name of any football club in the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
— "Newport Pagnell & Wolverton London & North Western Railway Amalgamated Association Football Club". - Wolverton Town were reformed in 2004 and are currently competing in the Milton Keynes Sunday League and the North Bucks League.
- The North Bucks & District Football League and Sunday league footballSunday league footballSunday league football is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe those association football leagues which play on Sunday, as opposed to the more usual Saturday. These leagues tend to be lower standard amateur competitions, whose players may have less ability, or less time to devote to...
attract many smaller clubs, which are too numerous to list individually.
- Under 11's to under 18's play in the Milton Keynes and Border Counties Youth Football League
Ice hockey
The town has two semi-professional ice hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
teams, these being Milton Keynes Lightning
Milton Keynes Lightning
The Milton Keynes Lightning is an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, England, currently playing in the semi-professional English Premier Ice Hockey League...
(founded in 2002) of the EPL
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
and Milton Keynes Thunder
Milton Keynes Thunder
The DFC Milton Keynes Thunder are an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, England and are the second team in the city behind Milton Keynes Lightning. They currently play in the English National Ice Hockey League South Division One league...
(founded in 2001) of the ENL
English National Ice Hockey League
The English National Ice Hockey League is an amateur ice hockey league below the English Premier Ice Hockey League which is administered by the English Ice Hockey Association. It is split into two conferences, north and south...
. Both teams play at the 2,500 capacity Planet Ice Arena which is situated close to Milton Keynes Central railway station
Milton Keynes Central railway station
Milton Keynes Central railway station serves Central Milton Keynes and the surrounding area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The station is located on the West Coast Main Line between the stations of Bletchley and Wolverton, both of which are also within Milton Keynes. The station is served by...
. The town also used to be home to professional team Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
from 1990–1996 and 1998-2002 who played at the same arena, although during 1990-1996 it was known as the bladerunner arena.
There are also a number of junior, ladies and recreational adult teams who also play at the arena.
Korfball
Milton Keynes Bucks KorfballKorfball
Korfball is a mixed gender team sport, with similarities to netball and basketball. A team consists of eight players; four female and four male. A team also includes a coach. It was founded in the Netherlands in 1902 by Nico Broekhuysen. In the Netherlands there are around 580 clubs, and over a...
Club was Milton Keynes's first korfball club, founded in 2004, and won the Oxfordshire League and Cup double in 2006, 2007 and 2008. A second club, Milton Keynes City, launched in autumn 2006. Milton Keynes City were successful in winning the OKA league 2 title in 2010. A third club, Milton Keynes Roos, in mid 2007 was launched.. All three clubs welcome and coach all players of both sexes from beginner level upwards. Milton Keynes has been awarded the 2010 European U21 Korfball Championships, to be held in Arena:MK
Arena:MK
The Arena:MK is a planned 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England, but construction work has been delayed by the credit crunch It remains planned to be the home of the Milton Keynes Lions of the British Basketball League, replacing their current venue Bletchley...
.
Martial arts
This popular family of sports / traditional arts has clubs in each of the six major disciplines (AikidoAikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, Ju Jitsu, Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Tae Kwon Do and T'ai chi).
Milton Keynes is the home to the central region of Minakami Bushido Karate Dojo, which practices Shotokan Karate. The club has classes aimed at 4-7yr olds known as the Tiny Tigers, then main classes which students of any age can attended, meaning children and adults train together. There are lessons most days at various leisure centres across Milton keynes including Shenley and Stantonbury leisure centre's Lessons and gradings are structured around Khion, Kata, Kumite, weapons training and conditioning to improve strength, control, fitness and co-ordination.
Motor racing
Given its proximity to SilverstoneSilverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
, it is not surprising that Milton Keynes has connect baions with motor racing. The Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team based in Milton Keynes, England which currently holds an Austrian licence. It is, along with Scuderia Toro Rosso, one of two teams owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH. The team have won two Constructors' Championship titles, in and , becoming the...
Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team is based here (as was the Arrows
Arrows
Arrows Grand Prix International was a British Formula One team active from to . For a period of time, it was also known as Footwork.-Origins :...
and Brabham teams until they went bankrupt in 2002 and 1992 respectively). The Kart racing
Kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits...
track in Rooksley, owned by Daytona Motorsport, is considered one of the better circuits in the UK. ( 52°02′29"N 0°47′08"W )
Parkour
Milton Keynes boasts a growing ParkourParkour
Parkour is a method of movement focused on moving around obstacles with speed and efficiency. Originally developed in France, the main purpose of the discipline is to teach participants how to move through their environment by vaulting, rolling, running, climbing and jumping...
or freerunning movement. Due to its urban landscape, the Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes is the central business district of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England and a civil parish in its own right.The district is approximately 2.5 km long by 1 km wide and occupies some of the highest land in Milton Keynes...
area is an ideal area for parkour activity.
Pool
Milton Keynes has a strong affinity with the game of Pool, specifically the English version of Eight BallEight ball
Eight-ball is a pool game popular in much of the world, and the subject of international professional and amateur competition...
. There are five long established leagues which cover the town: Bletchley Friendly, Milton Keynes Clubs, Milton Keynes Sunday, Milton Keynes Tuesday and Newport Pagnell. Two current Interleague teams exist, Milton Keynes 'A' and MK Shooters (Formerly Milton Keynes 'B'), which have dominated the Buckinghamshire Interleague since its reformation in 2003. Milton Keynes has also provided the backbone of the Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
County squad since the early 1990s due to the town being the long time base of the Buckinghamshire County Pool Association, although BCPA currently play from and are based in Leighton Buzzard
Leighton Buzzard
-Lower schools:*Beaudesert Lower School - Apennine Way*Clipstone Brook Lower School - Brooklands Drive*Greenleas Lower School - Derwent Road*Dovery Down Lower School - Heath Road*Heathwood Lower School - Heath Road*Leedon Lower School - Highfield Road...
in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
.
Rowing
Milton Keynes Rowing Club operates out of Caldecotte Lake.The club was founded in 1995 and hosted the inaugural Milton Keynes Regatta on May 22, 2010. The second annual Milton Keynes Regatta was held on May 21, 2011.
Rugby
The major Borough clubs are Bletchley RUFC,Milton Keynes RUFC and Olney RFC.Bletchley RUFC
Bletchley Rugby Club, who play at Manor Fields
Fenny Stratford
Fenny Stratford is a constituent town of Milton Keynes, ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire, England and in the Civil Parish of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. Originally an independent town, it was included in the Milton Keynes "designated area" area in 1967...
, routinely put out three Senior XVs, a ladies side and a Vets side. The 1st XV play in South West 1 East (level 6) and the 2nd XVs in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon 2 North table. The 3rd XV and Vets side play ad hoc friendly local fixtures.
Bletchley Ladies is a developing team which is intending to enter the RFUW leagues in the 2011 season.
In addition to the 120+ adult section, the club has a Youth (U7s to U17s) set-up with over 200 members. In the 2005/06 season the club's U17 squad were Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
County Cup champions, and finalists in the South West Division Bowl.
The playing activities at Bletchley are supported by a large number of volunteers, including the 50+ Vice-Presidents of whom many are ex-players. Bletchley celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2007/08 season.
In 2003 Bletchley RUFC were the first sports organisation in Milton Keynes/North Bucks to again the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
'Seal of Approval' and Sport England
Sport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
Clubmark. In 2006 the club gained Stage 2 accreditation from the same bodies.
Milton Keynes RUFC
In March 2006, Milton Keynes RUFC won the Bucks Plate against Slough RUFC who are in the league above. Milton Keynes went on to finish as runners up in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier League and were promoted to Southern Counties North. The Club has over 400 members including a mini and junior section with players between the ages of 6 and 18.
Milton Keynes RUFC began as Wolverton RUFC but changed its name in 1973, based in Greenleys
Wolverton and Greenleys
Wolverton and Greenleys is a civil parish with a Town Council in the borough of Milton Keynes, England. It is north-west of central Milton Keynes, and according to the 2001 census had a population of 8,253...
. In April 2011, the club transferred to a new ground in Emerson Valley
Shenley Brook End
Shenley Brook End is a village, district and civil parish in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. Together with its neighbouring parish, Shenley Church End and the districts of Shenley Wood and Shenley Lodge, the districts are collectively known as "The Shenleys".The name 'Shenley' is an Old...
. The move was opposed by the local community, but planning permission was granted on 6 September 2007.
Milton Keynes Under 15s were 2009/10 County Cup Champions and First Division Champions with 5 players playing for Buckinghamshire. Two players play for Wasps Academy and one player plays for England Under 16's.
Olney RFC
Olney has for many years been a rugby town with its rugby team dating back from 1877, called Olney Rugby Football Club, which has four regular senior teams. They also cater for Colts rugby, women's rugby and mini rugby. The club holds many social events for the town, one of these being a Rugby 7's tournament, with competitors coming from all over the country. Olney's Rugby is of a high standard in amateur rugby, winning the Lewis Shield in 2007, the Southern Counties North League in 2008 and the Bucks County Cup in 2010. Olney 1st XV play in the South West 1 East (level 6) league.
Olney Women's team compete in the RFUW National Championship.
Speedway
Until the late 1990s, Speedway had been staged at Milton Keynes at two venues (Milton Keynes Stadium at Ashland, and at Elfield Park). The local team, known as The Knights, started out at the Ashland Greyhound Stadium, and then moved to a venue known as Elfield ParkNational Bowl
The National Bowl is an entertainment venue in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The site was a former clay-pit , filled in and raised to form an amphitheatre using sub-soil excavated by the many new developments in the area and it has a current maximum capacity of 65,000...
. However, both sites have closed: the former is now a housing district and the latter is a brownfield site with plans announced by the leaseholders of National Bowl
National Bowl
The National Bowl is an entertainment venue in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The site was a former clay-pit , filled in and raised to form an amphitheatre using sub-soil excavated by the many new developments in the area and it has a current maximum capacity of 65,000...
to redevelop it (which have yet to materialise).
Swimming
There are a number of pools in the Borough, with a competition pool at StantonburyStantonbury
Stantonbury is a district of Milton Keynes, ceremonial Buckinghamshire, England. It is situated at the northern edge, between Great Linford and Wolverton...
. The performance swimming club is City of Milton Keynes SC.
Table Tennis
Table Tennis is thriving in Milton Keynes, which has one of the largest leagues in the UK. With a league that currently boasts over 60 teams and a state of the art, purpose-built Table Tennis Centre in Kingston, which many England ranked players like to call their home venue, the scene is well served.Other club venues in the league include Greenleys
Wolverton and Greenleys
Wolverton and Greenleys is a civil parish with a Town Council in the borough of Milton Keynes, England. It is north-west of central Milton Keynes, and according to the 2001 census had a population of 8,253...
, Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell is a town in the Borough of Milton Keynes , England. It is separated by the M1 motorway from Milton Keynes itself, though part of the same urban area...
, Woburn Sands
Woburn Sands
Woburn Sands is a small town and civil parish that is mainly located in the Borough of Milton Keynes, England, and to the south-east of Milton Keynes itself, near Wavendon...
, Stony Stratford
Stony Stratford
Stony Stratford is a constituent town of Milton Keynes and is a civil parish with a town council within the Borough of Milton Keynes. It is in the north west corner of Milton Keynes, bordering Northamptonshire and separated from it by the River Great Ouse...
and the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
, amongst others.
Volleyball
MK City VC is a volleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
club formed in 2006 from the ashes of corporate team Abbey VC. It plays out of Oakgrove Leisure Centre.
In its first season the men's team completed a league double taking by the Herts and Northants crowns.
Wrestling
Total Action Wrestling (TAW) in a Pro-Wrestling promotion based in Wolverton. Notable guest trainers include Doug Williams (wrestler)Doug Williams (wrestler)
Douglas Clayton Durdle is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Doug Williams. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Douglas Williams...
, Alex Shane
Alex Shane
Alexander Daniel Spilling is a British professional wrestler who is best known by his ring name "The Ascension" Alex Shane. Spilling also works as a promoter and wrestling teacher.-Early career:...
, Kenny Omega, Davey Richards
Davey Richards
Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
and British wrestling legend Johnny Kincaid. The school was originally in Bletchley Leisure centre until the final session in December 2009. The promotion runs events in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
, Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
, Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
, Hitchin
Hitchin
Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 30,360.-History:Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people mentioned in a 7th century document, the Tribal Hidage. The tribal name is Brittonic rather than Old English and derives from *siccā, meaning...
and other towns in the region. The training school moved to Atlas Fitness in Wolverton in January 2010.
Directory of sports in the Borough of Milton Keynes
- Directory of sports in Milton Keynes at MKWEB on which this article is extensively based.
- Also try http://www.localsportsclubs.co.uk Find other local sports clubs