Sport and Recreation Activities for Everybody

Introduction
Step One: It's your choice - what are you looking for?
Step Two: What should you ask when you call?
Step Three - Check out these sport and recreation opportunities

Introduction

Congratulations on making the initial step towards getting active!

The Tasmanian Government's clear objective for Sport and Recreation Tasmania is to encourage more Tasmanians to become active. It is widely accepted that if you can achieve 30 minutes of regular exercise every day, you will be far better off in so many ways. Obviously, if you can do more than that, potentially better!

This booklet provides you with sport and recreation ideas that perhaps you've never thought of before, weren't aware of, or relate to an activity that you perhaps played when you were younger and would like to take up again.

As our public awareness campaign earlier in 2000 showed, more Tasmanians are interested in becoming more active. People are gardening, walking the dog, walking to the shops, taking stairs instead of the lift, cycling round the streets, using exercise machines, visiting gyms and health centres - the list is endless!

Many people find that the real barrier to exercise is the motivation to start and the motivation to keep going. Research carried out by the Australian Sports Commission has shown that being part of a team, club or group is an excellent way of getting active and staying active. In a group, team or club you're not the only person facing this challenge.

The challenge to you is to make the call, give it a try and then decide for yourself what you want and what suits you best. There is no obligation, so if it isn't what you want, call again.

If you can't find what you're looking for in this booklet, there are a number of contacts also listed, for example, publications aimed at 'things to do' for older adults.

But, don't try to do too much too quickly, and if you have any medical concerns, check with your doctor first.

Follow the suggested steps in this booklet and get active today!

Step One: It's your choice - what are you looking for?

Before you go scanning through the remainder of this book to decide what sport or activity might be of interest to you, think carefully about exactly what YOU want.

Do you want to get really fit from this activity? Or do you just want to have moderate exercise, fun and meet people?
Do you want to reach the pinnacle of your selected sport or recreational activity? Or do you like the idea of a social game occasionally?
Do you have the time to commit to regular games or practice sessions? Or do you want to play as and when you feel like it?
Do you want to be really physically challenged? Or are you looking for an activity that just gets you off the couch, out in the fresh air and being moderately active?
Are you looking around for an activity just for yourself? Or something that your partner, or family, friends or associates can enjoy together?
Do you want to join a gym, health club or organised group? Or do you prefer walking, cycling or aquatic exercise alone or in couples?
Are you looking for an activity that is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels? Or do you have special sporting and recreational needs and goals?

Once you've carefully considered these kinds of questions, you will know what activity suits you.

Step Two: What should you ask when you call?

There are a lot of things to consider when joining a club, group or team. Here are some of the issues you could consider before making the call:

Can you give the activity a try without immediately being committed to being a member?
Is there FREE tuition and coaching provided for new members?
Are the trainers and coaches accredited?
Is the club open to men and women, boys and girls?
Are there mid-week activities for older adults, shift workers or parents with young children who can't or don't wish to get involved on weekends?
Does the club cater for people with disabilities or other special needs? o Is there a child care facility or arrangement available?
When does the club normally practice (if applicable), and when and where does the club have organised games or get togethers?
How much is it to join? Are there discounts for students, couples, families or senior citizens?
Do you have to join the club or team - or can you just turn up to play, and pay the fees as and when it suits you?
Are there additional costs per week for club/team members to pay? (e.g. court or ground fees)
What equipment or clothing will you need? Can you get it through the club, an association or from a retail store?
Is there a structured path to follow within the club if you want to reach the top level of this sport or recreation?

Step Three - Check out these sport and recreation opportunities

Abseiling	Abseiling	Archery
Athletics	Badminton	Baseball
Basketball	Billiards and snooker	Boats and boating
Bocce	Body-building and shaping	Bowls
Bush walking	Calisthenics	Canoeing
Caving	Cricket	Croquet
Cycling	Dancing	Darts
Diving	Fencing	Field and game
Fishing	Football	Frisbee throwing
Gliding and hang-gliding	Go karting	Golf
Gridiron	Gymnastics	Gym/health/fitness centres
Handball	Inline Skating	Indoor climbing
Jogging	Judo	Karate
Kayaking	Lacrosse	Martial arts
Motor sports	Mountain biking and climbing	Netball
Orienteering	Outdoor recreation	Petanque
Pistol shooting	Power walking	Rafting
Rock climbing	Roller blading	Roller skating
Rowing	Royal tennis	Rugby union
Rugby league	Skiing (snow and water)	Soccer
Softball	Squash	Surfing/bodysurfing
Swimming	Table tennis	T'ai chi
Tennis	Ten pin bowling	Trampolining
Triathlons	Underwater sports	Volleyball
Walking	Water polo	Weight lifting and conditioning
Wind surfing	Wood chopping	Wrestling
Yachting