Editing Hamilton, South Lanarkshire (section)

==Sports==

[[File:DavieCooperStatue.jpg|thumb|Statue in Hamilton of [[Davie Cooper]], Scottish international footballer]]
[[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical Football Club]] (the Accies) was formed in 1874 and is one of Scotland's oldest senior clubs. It takes its name from Hamilton Academy, now called [[Hamilton Grammar School]], the oldest school in the town (founded 1588). It is the only professional football team in the UK to originate from a school team and they currently play in the [[Scottish League One]]. Their stadium is [[New Douglas Park]], built in 2001 near the site of the former ground [[Douglas Park]] (which was demolished in 1994 to make way for a retail park).

[[Hamilton RFC|Hamilton Rugby Club]] is based at the Laigh Bent sports ground, Bent Road. They currently play in [[Scottish National League Division Three|Tennent's National League Division Three]].

[[Hamilton Park Racecourse]], a horseracing, wedding and event venue, is located in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamilton Park Racecourse |url=https://hamilton-park.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Hamilton Park |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Hamilton's Ice Rink hosts facilities for ice skating, curling, ice hockey and squash to both the general public and competitive teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamilton Ice Rink - Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonIceRink |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Facebook |language=en}}</ref>

SLC Leisure has a number of facilities based in Hamilton. There are three council run Leisure Centres which comprise gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes and more<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/35/leisure_centres | title=Leisure centres - South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture }}</ref> Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/38/outdoor_sport | title=Outdoor sport - South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture }}</ref> provide the town with rugby, cricket, tennis, football and bowling areas. Strathclyde Park Golf Centre driving range and 9-hole course is based in Hamilton,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.strathclydeparkgolfcentre.co.uk/driving-range | title=Strathclyde Park Golf Centre — Strathclyde Park Driving Range }}</ref> while the Hamilton Golf Club (dating from 1892) is situated across the [[Avon Water]] in nearby [[Ferniegair]].

The town is also home to several large gym chains, such as [[David Lloyd Leisure|David Lloyd]] formerly ([[Virgin Active|Virgin Active Health Club]]), which hosted the tennis at the 2011 [[International Children's Games]].

Speedway racing was staged in Hamilton for one off shows from 1947 to 1955 on the old ash football pitches of Strathclyde Park (now covered by the town square).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miscellaneous Page 2 |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/misc%20page%202.htm |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.defunctspeedway.co.uk}}</ref>