With summer nearly upon us it can be a tough task to decide between which team sports to choose to play to get fit and stay healthy. Lucky for you, here’s the list of our top five team sports!
5. Cricket
Whether you’re playing an official game at your local oval, in your mate’s backyard during a summer barbecue, or at the beach before a swim, cricket is a classic Aussie sport, especially in the summer. The only downside is the amount of equipment it requires – you’re always going to need at least a bat and a ball. Wickets are a bit easier: use some bins while playing in the yard. If you’re at the beach without some pointy sticks, you may be a bit stumped (get it?) however.
4. Beach Volleyball
It’s summer. The sun is shining, you’ve slipped, slopped, slapped, and the beauty of the ocean lies strewn before you…
Since you’re going to be at the beach during the summer anyway, you may as well bring a volleyball along with your mates and get some fun in before relaxing in the sun! You don’t even need the volleyball net. Just draw some lines in the sand and you’re good to go.
Then have a dip in the water afterwards to cool off!
3. Basketball
Basketball is easily one of the world’s most popular sports. Thankfully, this means that there’s usually some public courts available for use in your local area. While less flexible location-wise than some other sports, it makes up for it in fitness rewards. It’s a high intensity team-sport, meaning you’ll be burning off calories like nothing else.
And once you’re on the floor, parched and exhausted, you can always play a couple rounds of HORSE to keep you out on the courts without murdering what’s left of your leg muscles.
2. Footy/Rugby
Whether you’re a fan of AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, or even NFL, these various codes can all be played simply by getting some mates together and tossing the ball around at the oval. Then, of course, there’s the option of touch footy, beach footy (careful you don’t launch the ball out to sea!), backyard footy, or in-the-house furniture-disassembling footy, it’s an easy way to have a great time with friends.
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1. Soccer (Or the real “football” as the Poms like to call it)
Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. Over 1 billion people play it on a regular basis, and that tally increases when you consider all the casual players and fans.
It’s number one in the world for the same reason it’s number one here. It’s a sport so simple in its basics that you can pick up and play anywhere. You don’t even need a ball – many a schoolyard match uses soda cans, a rolled up ball of elastic bands, or whatever else is on hand. Goals can be made out of anything, and whether you’re just two people at a park, a full squad of 24, or enjoying a summer six-a-side tournament, soccer is great to play, it’s easy to understand, and you can do it anywhere!
So this summer, grab your favourite team’s jersey, kit up, and get out there!!
Have we missed your favourite sport? If so, let us know in the comments below!
#KitUp 
Great post here, exercise is indeed one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy, something that we’re all about over at Shun the Sun. But did you notice that all of those sports you’ve mentioned are predominantly, if not completely, played outdoors? Especially in a country like Australia, sports players and even bystanders need to be extremely conscious of how exposed they are to the sun and ensure adequate protection. As a sports lover myself who has dabbled in tens of different forms, I know for a fact that this can be hard to achieve with restrictions to uniform to allow for proper movability. When you consider for example that the average game of cricket lasts for well over several hours (sometimes over days) and around the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest; it is paramount that all athletes, be amateur or professional, do what they can to avoid damage to their skin from UV exposure. Suncream is the easiest option and really is a must. A hat is also sometimes feasible, while quarter/half times should be spent in the shade. Head on over to our site for more facts on the dangers of sun exposure and tips on how to stay protected.
It’s one thing to be fit, it’s another to be healthy. And this includes our skin. As lots of young people gear up for another season of summer sport, it’s important that the message of sun protection gets across to them as they are often the worst perpetrators of trying to get burnt and/or achieve a tan.
I did mention slip, slop, slapping at #4, which is part of a government campaign for sunburn awareness. But thanks for the input!
Have to agree, football has to be the best cause its so easy to play and everyone can get involved – although touch footy is a close second!
I think this is fantastic. We promote healthy living and 30 minutes of exercise a day to improve your lifestyle. It so important to do exercise and a lot of people don’t realise that getting involved in your local club and playing sports like cricket and basketball and soccer are great ways to get out there, run around and improve your health. We are a country that is currently battling obesity in both adults and children and if we don’t change and become more aware of the problems we will see the people of this country slowly shave years off their lives. Its a scary thought that obesity is becoming such an epidemic. We we continue to eat and not exercise the way we do now our children are going to grow up in families with bad eating habits and will themselves pick up on those habits. Its fantastic to see that there are people out there like you who are championing for health and exercise. I think your blog is fantastic and on the right track. Please visit us at 30adaydoctoraway for more way to keep healthy and get fit 🙂
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! Will be sure to check out your blog!