[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]S2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Recent successes: Football, hockey, fencing. [ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]There are reasonable sporting facilities both on and off campus and some impressive achievements. However, participation is not as broad as it could be (not for lack of opportunity).[EITAL][HDNG]SPORTS FACILITIES:[EHDNG][PARA]On campus, there are facilities in the Union Building (see Social and Political above), in the Claremont Sports Hall (sports hall, squash courts) on the edge and in the Centre for PE andSport (gym, dance studio, weights room) nearer the centre. There are outdoor amenities on 5 sites: Heaton (medic's playing fields); Close House (10 miles out - 18-hole golf course; hockey pitches); Cochrane Park (playing fields); Longbenton (more playing fields); and Newburn Boat House on the Tyne for rowers. Just 6 acres of playing fields in all, though.[HDNG]SPORTING CLUBS:[EHDNG][PARA]American Football; Boat; Boxing; Canoe Polo; Caving; Clay Pigeon Shooting; Hang Gliding; Mountain Biking; Parachuting; Rifle; Surfing; Tae Kwon Do; Thai Boxing; Triathlon; Windsurfing.[HDNG]ATTRACTIONS:[EHDNG][PARA]Newcastle United FC are the local soccer stars. Gateshead International Stadium, Whitley Bay Ice Rink and Blaydon Races are close as well.[PARA][PARA]
