20+ indoor sports to do in Canberra this winter
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Too cold to go outside? Here are 20+ indoor sports you can play in Canberra this winter.
From dodgeball to bouldering, soccer to tennis, save this for your next sweat sesh.
Team sports
Indoor soccer and futsal
Indoor soccer is a fast-paced five-a-side team sport. A staple in many communities, this is a great way to spend your day/afternoon. There are a range of options, from casual play to elite and semi-pro tournaments, with options for all age groups and skill levels.
Where to play? There are a few centres around Canberra, such as Fadden, Kambah, Weston Creek and Urban Rec, along with a range of places including Dickson and Lyneham. So, try something new or follow what you love while staying fit and having fun. Join indoor soccer or futsal today.
Basketball
A fast-paced, fluid team sport utilising teamwork and connection, basketball is one of the most loved sports in the world. From people playing to stay fit to people playing for fun, everyone can enjoy the game – young or old. In Canberra, there is a range of indoor teams on both the north side and the south side. To see when and where you can play, visit Basketball ACT to see the clubs, areas, school teams, and more. Ranging from local grassroots teams to semi-pro level teams, anyone can come play this fast-paced, engaging sport.
Volleyball
A highly strategic team sport. Two teams, only separated by a net but competing for everything, volleyball is a competitive yet loved team sport. Offering three main indoor leagues comprising over 12 divisions, Volleyball ACT has one of the largest and fastest-growing player bases. Recreational seasons run from 10 to 15 weeks with semi-professional running up to nine months. With around 10 to 14 players on a team, volleyball is a great way to meet new people and socialise with friends while also staying competitive and having fun.
Netball / Walking netball
A fast-paced non-contact sport, netball is one of the most physically demanding team sports. Requiring elite levels of agility, explosive speed, and precise hand-eye coordination, a slower, more age-appropriate version called walking netball. More or less, walking netball is the same game with a few modified rules. For rules information and signups, you can visit Netball ACT to find all your questions and queries.
Dodgeball
Dodgeball is a team sport that heavily relies on your ability to throw, dodge, and block. Dodgeball is a sport for any and all to enjoy and play. With sadly only two leagues in Canberra to choose from, entry to this sport often sells out quickly. With such a small learning curve, dodgeball is a great beginner sport for everyone. To join a league, visit Urban Rec for more details
Indoor cricket
Indoor cricket is played by over 180,000 Australians and is enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Indoor cricket is very different from traditional cricket. It’s much more fast-paced, everyone has a go at everything and it only takes 60 to90 mins. Playing with six to eight players per team, there are also different methods of scoring, hitting nets and certain zones on the field will score a set number of runs/points. To sign up for a comp and/or team ACT Cricket has information about rules, teams, competitions and more.
Indoor hockey
Indoor hockey is a fast-paced, small-sided version of traditional field hockey. Instead of an 11-aside grass field, indoor hockey is played on a standard-sized basketball court surrounded by rebound boards in teams of six (including a goalkeeper). At Hockey Australia, they organise events such as tournaments, gala days and traditional season teams. With great spaces and training grounds, indoor hockey is a great way to stay fit this winter.
Ice hockey
The fast-paced sport of ice hockey is played with six players on the ice per team, utilising three attackers, two defenders, and one goaltender. At Ice Hockey ACT they organise games and training for all divisions, playing in two main arenas at Bruce and Phillip, with the AIS arena also offering basketball, netball, and other entertainment. If that’s not enough, Phillip also offers casual skating. With a bit of a learning curve, ice hockey is a challenge, but one to try out nonetheless
Water sports
Swimming
Swimming is a nice, slow-paced sport – there is no team pressure or expectation on you. One of the most immersive sports connecting (with all the senses), being in the weightless watery environment, is soothing for many people. As a kind of meditation and sport, swimming can be enjoyed by any and all ages, with Canberra having seven Olympic-sized (50-metre) swimming pools, six indoor and one outdoor. Canberra is a great place to start your swimming journey. Find your local pool at ACT Pools.
Water polo
Water polo is considered the 11th hardest sport in the world, needing the ability to swim/tread water constantly whilst also trying to track a ball and score. At Water Polo ACT they teach you the rules and regulations, whilst showing you how to play. Water polo is a very athletic and demanding game whilst also being fun and competitive. The ages of competitors range from six-year-olds to people in their 60s, making it a very well-rounded sport. If you like playing in warm, deep water, this might be the new thing for you.
Solo sports
Bouldering
Bouldering is a more fun form of rock climbing – it’s a mental and physical puzzle. Unlike rock climbing, bouldering doesn’t involve a harness; it’s a free climbing experience (the walls aren’t higher than four to five meters for safety reasons). In Canberra, you can choose between Blochaus and Mountain Strong. Blochaus has more of a family-friendly approach with an under-12s area and then a standard area for more people. Mountain Strong is more of an advanced gym with 24-hour access for members and pass holders. If you enjoy physical puzzles or brain teasers, try bouldering this winter.
Golf
Whether it’s a social thing or working on your game, Canberra has some great golf simulator facilities. Golf is also a great way to keep fit, with your swing helping you work on strength and flexibility. There are three excellent golf simulators in Canberra: Status Golf, P59, and Canberra Golf Studio. P59 and Canberra Golf Studio offer great coaching options to try and improve your game for your next round. Appealing to more of an older age range, a simulator is a great way to get more of the younger generations to start playing golf.
Paddle sports
Pickleball
Widely recognised as one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and played on a compact court, pickleball combines tennis, table tennis and badminton. As a sport, pickleball can be played as singles (one vs one) or doubles (two vs two) which is the most common format. In Canberra, there are over 20 venues to play at. Pickle Ball ACT also has lots of information on the sport. For many age groups in Canberra, this is a go-to form of exercise. With nearly no learning curve, this sport is perfect for anybody looking for something new and exciting.
Tennis
Tennis is one of the top five most popular sports of all time, with one billion players and fans, and many people start playing at a very young age. Played and loved by many generations, tennis is one of the best sports to play at any age. The ACT Tennis Association offers many options for players such as tournaments, competitions, leagues, and even great options for seniors. As for indoor tennis courts, there aren’t many options in the ACT, but those that are available are some of the highest quality courts. While Tennis ACT offers clubs and tournaments, they also have individual court hire, where you can hire a court with your buddies or competitors and just play tennis for a while. Whether you’re joining a club or just hiring a court, tennis is a great way to spend your winter indoors while still staying fit.
Squash
Squash is a phenomenal sport played mainly indoors, with very few exceptions. Canberra has 31 publicly accessible squash courts, making it a great place to start your journey.
Dickson, Acton and Lyneham all have very well-taken-care-of and loved courts. As some of the bigger squash centres, it’s a great idea for some here to learn, get trained or even practice and play. Squash Canberra is also an organisation that puts together clubs and guides players to more tournaments and what’s best for them as an individual. In some instances, people have played squash from as young as three to well into their 80s. There have also been cases of people starting in their late 60s or 70s, making it a good beginner sport and maybe even good for the whole family.
Padel
Padel is a fast-paced racquet sport combining tennis and squash. Padel is a sport that’s very unique and widely enjoyed. What makes it unique? Playing off the walls, always doubles, and having overhand serves – these are just some of the ways this sport is different. Over the last five years, padel has grown its player base by over 400 per cent, making a record-breaking stat. The Canberra Racquet Club has a state-of-the-art facility that is inclusive and available to everyone. With the popular demand and rise of padel, it is very easy to find equipment and gear in shops such as Rebel and Intersport. This sport is a very well-rounded one, including trick shots and agility while also incorporating slow play. This is a great sport to do well into your 80s and 90s to keep fit and stay on your toes (and maybe play with your grandchildren).
Table tennis
Surprisingly, table tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports and is played by over 350 million amateur and professional players. Being another fast-paced sport, it is played with two or four players, and you are burning around 200 to500 calories in an hour-long game – which is quite good with how little you actually have to do. From hiring tables to playing tournaments, Table Tennis ACT can offer anything. And a bonus is that there is quite little movement, meaning many seniors play the sport along with many juniors in their early years.
Niche sports
Handball
A unique sport combining elements of soccer and basketball, handball has two teams of seven players who bounce and pass the ball with the aim of trying to throw it into the opposing goal. Often being a high-scoring game (making it more exciting), handball is low on the known rankings spectrum and isn’t as loved as many others. At Handball ACT you can play tournaments and season games with clubs and join the handball community. Handball also helps with physical strength and cognitive reflexes. Perfect for every age range because Handball ACT also offers “Masters” comps for older people looking to get into the sport for a bit of exercise.
Floorball
Blending elements of hockey and ice hockey, floorball is a close cousin to those sports. Consisting of five outfield players and a small hollow ball with lightweight sticks. With fewer offsides and stoppages, it’s a higher-scoring game than traditional hockey or ice hockey.
In elite and professional games, there are even blowout games, some ending in even 21-0 scores. A fast-paced sport, floorball is more for younger and mid-range players but there are some older leagues on the Floorball ACT website, along with winter comps, summer comps, and tournaments.
Broomball
Played on a regulation ice hockey rink, broomball is very similar to ice hockey, serving as a more chaotic, skate-free version of it. Broomball doesn’t require skating experience. Playing with five outfield players and one goaltender, broomball has many things and different positions. Made much harder with a basketball-sized inflatable rubber ball, it makes for interesting and low-scoring games. Broomball ACT offers ladders, competitions, and many other tournaments. The community around the broomball space is very friendly and welcoming to new players, and they hope to grow the community soon. So, if you’re looking to do something sporty this winter, maybe try boomball.
