Change it up with these four unique sports in the Illawarra – they’re a little bit different, a whole lot of fun and awesome for doin’ it with friends.
1 :: PICKLEBALL
The name alone is enough to draw your attention and once you start playing, we reckon you’ll be hooked.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Seattle by three dads looking for a different summer activity for their families. Nice one, fellas.
The game combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and can be played both indoors and outside.
You can play singles or doubles, and is good for all ages and skill levels which means you don’t need lots of expertise to start.
Where can you do it in the Illawarra?
Currently, slots are open at Bulli PCYC on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and they accept solo players as well as groups.
If you’re further down the coast, Shellharbour City Stadium offers opportunities to play Monday and Thursday mornings and Tuesday and Friday evenings for ages 14 and over and they encourage anyone interested to come and have a try. Drop in to give it a go. It’s $10.
2 :: ULTIMATE
Known more commonly as Ultimate Frisbee but officially named Ultimate, this is a fast-paced sport that only requires a flying disc and some markers.
Teams are often co-ed so that all your friends can play together. The Australian Flying Disc Association says the most unique feature is that it is self-refereed, so players are responsible for adhering to and overseeing the rules themselves to encourage the spirit of fairness and friendliness amongst players.
Ultimate is a mix of netball, soccer and touch-footy, and needs a lot of legwork to traverse the 100-metre-long field. Awesome cardio! You’ll be huffin’ and puffin’ when you play Ultimate.
Where can you do it in the Illawarra?
With stacks of parks and fields around the Illawarra, it’s possible to grab the equipment and some friends and try it out on your own.
First up, head to the Wollongong Ultimate website to learn the full set of rules. The website also provides information about how to join one of their teams and encourages beginners to sign up.
Their Facebook page lists times and locations of ‘Pick Up’ games for anyone wanting to play casually.
3 :: FOOTGOLF
The name says it all! FootGolf is golf played with your feet.
Thankfully though, the ball you’re kicking is a soccer ball, not a golf ball. And of course the holes are a bit bigger too. Handy!
Unlike a lot of new sports, the origin of this sport is a little murky but the first 9-hole tournament was played in the Netherlands by professional Dutch and Belgian soccer players.
It wasn’t long before it became popular in Australia, and in 2023 Australian players competed in the third FootGolf world cup in the USA.
Where can you do it in the Illawarra?
There are currently 30 accredited courses across the country and we’ve got two in the Illawara – yay!
The Vale Golf Club in Russel Vale offer pre-booked playing times – get in touch with them to confirm times. Players can bring their own balls or use one of the clubs and should wear comfortable enclosed shoes with no studs or cleats.
Or you can head to Jamberoo Golf Club Monday to Sunday from 2pm.
We love that FootGolf is a family-friendly sport, so save it up for a weekend or school holiday activity with the fam bam!
4 :: ARCHERY TAG
For those looking for the adrenaline hit of Paintball without the pain [our hands are up!], this sport is for you.
Much like Paintball the aim of the game is to shoot or “tag” opponents from the other team but unlike Paintball, where the paint shot often can sting a little and leave an angry bruise, in Archery Tag a hit is more of a soft touch.
It started in the USA and is slowly making its way across the globe.
The game is played in two teams and each player is given a bow and foam-tipped arrows as well as a mask to protect the player’s eyes and face.
Where can you do it in the Illawarra?
Right now, the best way to play is by booking a package through Archery Tag Wollongong. Kids from 10 and up can play with junior bows and from 13 onwards they can use the adult equipment.
Archery Tag Wollongong takes bookings for a minimum of ten and a maximum of twenty people and allows you to choose the location you would like to play at.
They also recommend it as a fun option for bucks and hens parties as well as corporate events. Nothing says team building like shooting your boss, Hunger Games style!
Sounds fun, right? Give them a crack and let us know how you go!
