SQUASH
Americans in Florida do not play squash. It's a very esoteric British interest. There are virtually NO squash courts in the whole of Florida. American raquetball is the nearest equivaent to sqauash and you will find raquetball courts around the state.   I am asked frequently by newly arrived Brits where they can play squash, only to disappoint with the answer that Boca Raton has the only squash courts. [Located at the Lifetime Fitness Centre [561] 208-65900 on Yamato Road] .   But the Centre now also boasts a toplevel professional British coach. Scott Fitzgerald is eight times Welsh National Champion, ranked sixtieth in the World, certified Level 3 coach and Florida's only professional squash player. [In view lof my first sentence he must struggle to find partners!]. Anyway, Scott invites all expat players to join the squash league he started November 1 and/or take lessons from him. To find out more, call direct on his cell [ 941] 284 9700 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ALSO GOOGLE "Squash courts Florida". That may pull up others---PK.

                    BOXING---Much more popular with Brits than Americans.
South Florida Boxing [with 3 locations in South Florida] is owned by a Brit Trevor Cedar. Tel. [305] 672-8262 ADDRESS: South Florida Boxing Gym, 715 Washington Avenue Second Floor, South Beach [Miami]. Second location is in North Miami Beach [305] 405-6151 Third location Pemboke Pines [west Ft. Lauderdale] [954] 436-6656 INFO : www.southfloridaboxing.com

 
DON KING,  the sport's greatest promoter has his offices and home in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His organisation used my British Bureau to promote his fights with British boxers Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis to British boxing fans in the USA. I designed the March 1996 fullpage ad that Don King Promotions and Showtime TV took in Union Jack Newspaper and covered the March 1999 Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield fight in New York where I met Don King in the backstage media room. With 3 British boxing fans from Ft. Lauderdale, I was also ringside at the infamous Tyson-Holyfield ear-biting fight in May 1997. Don KIng's office arranged a special deal on tickets for my party. DON KING PROMOTIONS Tel. [954] 418-5800. He has a wonderful website--take a look:     www.donking.com -----PK

KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS British-owned and operated University Karate School in west Ft. Lauderdale is one of the top places in Florida. Run by World-champion Robert Mason from the UK, the school has been established since 1989. Tel. [954] 587-5008 WEBSITE: www.mudokai.com     Email Instructor-owner:     This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

RUNNING/JOGGING
Hash House Harriers [the worldwide British-founded running group] can be found all over Florida. The Hash House Harriers have thousands of chapters in most parts of the globe. Motto: Drinkers with Running Problem.   There is a particularly active Miami-Ft. Lauderdale one. INFO: Call the South Florida Hash hotline [954] 680-HASH.   Find other HASH groups on the official website www.gthhh.com

FENCING---a longtime passion in England.

We have produced many international fencing champions.Since 1990, The Miami Fencing Club has offered instruction in the sport and art of fencing to everybody age 8 to 80. They meet twice a week to teach beginners and offer practice on our electronic equipment to more advanced fencers. They have two fencers from the UK who attend regularly and an international group that reflects the diversity of Miami. They have recently started a course on Saturdays at MDCC that shows great promise. For more details, check their website This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Mike Elder (305) 992-1946 or e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MIAMI FENCING CLUB [305] 992-1946 They welcome you to join, stop by to fence and meet the gang. I met the club's Olympic fencing instructor Michael Elder at a May 2004 Miami business luncheon and am pleased to feature his club on this website. As a student in London I took up fencing classes and it was quite my passion for a while. I encourage all local Brits with an interest in this glorious European sport to visit the club. En garde--PK

CROQUET the quintessentially English pastime.    There is very active croquet facility in Palm Beach, established since 2000. They have events, amateur and professional tournaments and social occasions. Call the National Croquet Center [561] 655-7010 Bob Alman.   Website: www.croquetnational.com