Outdoor sports are big here! People who are living in Victoria benefit from the temperate climate and take advantage of their ability to get outside and play all year round. As a result, amateur outdoor sports of all kinds thrive, so pretty much any outdoor sport you can think of is played here.
Children, youths, adults and seniors, we can all enjoy and benefit from outdoor sports. Fresh air and exercise are important for our physical health, and the social aspect of being involved, whether in a team or individual sport, is advantageous to our mental well being!
Soccer is one of the most popular amateur outdoor sports in Victoria. Numerous leagues exist, offering recreational and “rep” level teams across all age groups, by gender or co-ed. All you need is a pair of cleats, shinpads, a ball and a field, so “footy” is growing ever more popular as the cost of other sports skyrockets.
Baseball is also played by thousands in the Greater Victoria area; whether hardball or softball (slowpitch or fastpitch) is your game, you’re bound to find a team where your skill level is appreciated. There are competitive and gender based leagues for all ages and abilities, as well as coed and recreational “beer” leagues.
Football (North American style), rugby and lacrosse are an excellent test of physical and mental toughness, as the boys and girls, men and women who participate in these outdoor sports can attest to. There are youth, womens and mens football leagues offering tackle, touch and flag football in Victoria. Rugby Leagues exist in men, women youth and junior designations. Both Field Lacrosse and Box Lacrosse are growing in popularity for youth, women and men.
Bicycling and running are the favourite individual outdoor sports of many athletes. Combined them with swimming and you have Triathlon, a sport that’s growing rapidly here in Victoria as well as globally.
Certain sports may be played indoors or outdoors, depending on available venues. Tennis is one, along with equestrian sports and even swimming. Open water swimming races are held regularly at Elk Lake.
Other outdoor sports that people who are living in Victoria participate in include:
- Track and Field
- Rowing;
- Lawn Bowling;
- Cricket, and
- Disc sports like Disc Golf, Ultimate and Goaltimate (the last two are team field sports involving a frisbee rather than a ball).
These outdoor sports represent the main organised amateur outdoor sports in Victoria. There is probably something here that you would like to play, so get out there! If you are lucky enough to be living in Victoria, you will be able to participate in outdoor sports throughout the year!
