Team sports
21 Jul 2018
If you’re still young at heart and yearning to get active, make new friends, and score goals, then these may be for you.
Keeping active is important at any age, and while most activities seem directed at the individual, there are plenty of opportunities for you to pick up a team sport. Best of all, they are open to all skill levels and abilities, and they’re easy on the wallet.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Walking football
This one is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a slower paced version of soccer, without contact, making it safer and more desirable. The game is accessible to people of any age and skill level, however it is particularly aimed at beginners or people with lower mobility. It can be further modified to accommodate a smaller pitch, shortened game time, or smaller teams with five or six a side.
While there’s not yet an overarching association for Australia, Walking Football is fast gaining traction in NSW, VIC, and QLD.
Get a zest for Lifeball
Lifeball is the netball equivalent of Walking Football. It’s played on a netball court, divided into three zones, where the aim is to get the ball to a point where you can score a goal. Like Walking Football, it is accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
At the moment, games are held in NSW, SA, and VIC, however the Lifeball website has great tips on how to start your own team.
Anyone for a spot of Gateball?
Everyone’s heard of croquet, but have you heard of Gateball? It’s a fast – paced, mallet-based game, which is based on strategy and skill – a bit like croquet. The game invites two teams of five people to score as many points as possible in 30 minutes, by striking a ball through a gate or hitting the pole. Games are usually played at croquet clubs, as the courts are very similar, and currently, there are around 300 regular players across Australia.
In a bit of a pickle
If Gateball’s not your speed, you may want to try Pickleball (pictured), a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong and can be played as singles or doubles. Players use paddles to hit a plastic whiffle ball over a low, tennis-style net, on a court similar to one used for Badminton.
The first team to reach 11 points wins the game, as long as they are ahead by two. If both teams reach 10, the game continues until one person is two points ahead.
BREAKOUT: Benefits of team sports:
The benefits of playing team sports include:
- Increased fitness levels and mobility.
- Increased balance and coordination.
- Reduced risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, bone and muscle loss.
- Improved mental health.
- It’s a great opportunity to socialise.
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