St. Paul’s Community Sports Academy

Head into any slightly less well to do urban location and you can be sure they’ve had a whopping big grant spent on some top notch sporting facilities — and St Paul’s is no exception. On the outskirts of the area, the easiest way to get here is to go up the M32 from the city centre and get off immediately when you see the sign.
There are other facilities here, though I’ve only come here for the outdoor five-​a-​side pitches. Unfortunately, however, this place is for me (perhaps appropriately for the surrounding area!) most readily associated with injury.
My Saturday team used to use the tarmac pitches, but had to stop as players were dropping like flies due to the solid surface (including one broken wrist). Also, with work, I used to play lunch time five-​a-​side on the one astroturf pitch, though this is slightly old and broken up, which means that if you fall over and inevitably cut your knee, your injury also receives a fresh covering of sand. Not a bad place for a kickaround, but there are better alternatives.

This modern sports academy offers a wide range of sports activities and classes for the local community. Parking here is good and it has a large bright reception area with vending machines where you can meet for a drink or get your breathe back. They have outside courts and two large inside courts. They have a small but well equipped gymn. Classes include Pilates, yoga, karate, jujutsu, aerobics, step, spin and body pump. They have an open weekend coming up on the ²⁶⁄₂₇^th January where you can sample some of the activities for free. Booking is recommended.