Inspired by Greatness: Six Olympic sports you can try at the Beacon of Light

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing, showcasing world class sport while promoting peace and unity.

If you are feeling inspired by the action in Paris, and would like to get active and play sport, the Beacon of Light offers versatile facilities for multiple games.

Here are six Olympic sports you can try at the Beacon of Light:

Basketball

There’s a strong hype around basketball in this year’s Olympics. The United States have summoned their dream team of NBA stars such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durrant, while many hope for a huge upset.

Whether you have a group to set up a full-court match, or you just want some shooting practice or half-court minigames, there are plenty of ways to play basketball at the Beacon.

Basketball is included in our summer drop-in sessions, offering an hour of activity for just £3. The basketball drop-in takes place on Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm.

You can even take part in solo practice with our Dr Dish ball returner machine. Perfect for casual solo play, a bit of friendly competition with the multi-player mode, or training to hone your skills, with over 250 interactive drills.

Half Court: From £17.50 per hour

Full Court: From £35 per hour

Dr Dish Machine: £10 per hour plus court booking fee

Badminton

First played at the Olympics in 1972, and a permanent fixture since 1988, this historic racquet sport is a staple of the games.

Badminton is available on a quarter court booking with a total of 12 courts available - suitable for beginners, casual, club and performance players.

Badminton is also included in our summer drop-in sessions. Enjoy an hour of play for just £3 on Thursdays between 3pm and 4pm.

Quarter Court: From £8.50 per hour

Football

While not often thought of as an Olympic sport, football has featured in every edition of the modern games except from LA 1932.

Superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Alex Morgan count an Olympic gold medal amongst their list of achievements.

The Beacon of Light hosts what are probably the most competitively priced football pitches in the North East, including our 4G indoor rooftop pitch and 3G outdoor five-a-side pitches.

From neurological walking football to the Player Development Centre, the Foundation of Light has a range of football programmes and holiday courses for people of all ages and abilities. 

Outdoor Football: From £20 per hour

Indoor Football: From £60 per hour

Table Tennis

An Olympic sport since 1988, table tennis has been dominated by China who lead the way with 32 gold medals.

Could you or your child be a hidden talent ready to put an end to the dominance? We have plenty of ways for you to try table tennis.

Table tennis is an option on quarter court bookings, or you can take part in drop-in sessions on Fridays between 3pm and 4pm.

Quarter Court: From £8.50 per hour

Long-distance running

There are four long-distance running events at the Olympics, the 3,000 metres steeplechase, 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres, and marathon.

Beacon of Light is the current home of Sunderland Strollers main club night on Wednesday evenings, and also the workplace of Olympian and former 50km World Champion Aly Dixon. Sunderland Strollers Wednesday meets start at the Beacon at 6:30pm with different pacing groups to cater for all abilities.

For full information on how to join Sunderland Strollers – Click Here

Tennis… well, Pickleball

Pickleball is a racquet sport played with a paddle on a small court, similar in dimensions to a badminton court.

With aspects of the game resembling tennis and table tennis, Pickleball can be an accessible introduction to racquet sports, or a fantastic alternative for people who are no longer able to play tennis due to injury.

Inspired by double gold medallist Andy Murray’s final fight? Try pickleball and get serving, smashing, and volleying.

The Pickleball Panthers, Sunderland's first dedicated pickleball club, play at the Beacon of Light on Tuesdays between 11am and 1pm. For more on the Pickleball Panthers - Click Here. Or you can book to play Pickleball with friends on a quarter court. 

Quarter Court: From £8.50 per hour

For any court bookings: Click Here

Foundation of Light

Every penny we make at the Beacon is given back to the Foundation of Light, to help tackle some of our region's biggest challenges, including providing inclusive sports activity for all ages, abilities and backgrounds.