by Chris Logan
Sport (and activity) gets our blood flowing, our lungs going, our muscles aching – they improve our health. They teach us the nature of friendly competition, reward hard work and give us hope for a world where everyone lives by the same rules.
But, more than all this, sport and activity challenge us to work in sync with others or our own minds, and bond us as a people with a common reference point. Particularly in the South Pacific, they are forms of social cement.
“Sport teaches you character, it teaches you how to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose – it teaches you about life.”
– Billie Jean King
We don’t all possess the talent of professional athletes. We don’t all have the time to hit the big leagues, but we can all participate! And that’s what sport and activity are both all about.
Read on as we showcase the sports and activities you, your family and loved ones can try at your club resorts, or nearby. We will also take a look at the summer’s big opportunities to see the pros in action. If it’s been a while since you laced up those joggers and you need to ease back in, take One Step at a Time with our story on the best walks near club resorts, found here.
It’s never too late to get active!
Love-all
• TENNIS •
Australia has produced some of the biggest names in this international game and, every summer, the entire country has a love affair while watching the Australian Open.
The tournament is one of the four Grand Slam events in the world tennis calendar and typically takes place in the last two weeks of January in Melbourne. In 2024, it will run from January 14 to 28. The tournament attracts the best international tennis players and, in 2023, the stadiums and courts of Melbourne Park played host to 839,192 fans – a new record. Just in Australia, between eight to 12 million people also watch the competition on their TVs.
The Australian Open is a peak period in Melbourne. Its popularity means that if you intend to watch the event live while staying at Club Wyndham Melbourne, we recommend you book at the extent of the 13-month window.
This means you should be considering making a booking in December 2023 for the 2025 event.
Tennis is one of Australia’s biggest sports, with an estimated 911,400 people taking part – 4.5 per cent of the over-15 population. If you are one of them, or you would like to give this sport a go, plan your club holiday at one of your club resorts with a court!
RESORTS WITH A TENNIS COURT
• Club Wyndham Rotorua
(shown above)
Fancy the miniature version?
• Club Wyndham Seven Mile Beach
• Club Wyndham Ballarat
• Club Wyndham Dunsborough
have table tennis tables
Howzat?!
• CRICKET •
While it is still open for debate, cricket may be Australia’s true summer sport given it spans the duration of the southern hemisphere season.
Over the 23/24 summer, the Australian men’s side has a three-test series against Pakistan and a two-test series against West Indies scheduled, along with three one day games and three T20s against the West Indies. The women’s side has a test, a three-game one-day series and a three-game T20 series against South Africa. Add to that a Big Bash tournament for men and women, and cricket is showing almost every day, in major cities the length and breadth of the country!
Across the Tasman, the Black Caps (men) take on Pakistan in a five-T20 game series, Bangladesh in a three-one-day and three-T20 series, and a two-test series against South Africa – and that’s before taking on Australia in February/March. The White Ferns (women) recently played a three-one-day game and three-T20 series against Pakistan.
It's a common occurrence to see families out practising their cover drives and seam bowling in public parks or on beaches across the country. You can grab a beach cricket set at Club Wyndham Coffs Harbour and there’s ample space for your own makeshift setup at Club Wyndham Marcoola Beach, Club Wyndham Dinner Plain, Club Wyndham Ballarat, Club Wyndham Phillip Island, Club Wyndham Seven Mile Beach, Club Wyndham Dunsborough and Club Wyndham Rotorua.
BACKYARD CRICKET - HOW COMPETITIVE ARE YOU?
Some Handy Rules for Backyard Cricket
• One hand, one bounce is out
• Hitting it over a fence is six and out
• No getting out first ball
• You can have a phantom wicket-keeper
• Tip and run
• You can run out a lone batsman at either end
Shoot Your Shot
• BASKETBALL •
It’s always a good time of year for basketball.
The home and away season of Australia and New Zealand’s National Basketball League rolls through until February, then concludes in a finals series. When that’s done, the remaining few months of America’s NBA league – the world’s premier competition – are popular with local audiences.
Photo by Serge Kutuzov on Unsplash
Photo by Serge Kutuzov on Unsplash
The sport is taken seriously in Australia, where the women’s national side ranks number three in the world, and the men’s side sits at number four. Basketball Australia says more than 1.3 million people in Australia play the sport, while it’s the second most-played sport in New Zealand schools (behind netball). The Tall Blacks rank a very respectable 21 on the international rankings, while the Tall Ferns sit at 23.
Floodlights ensure basketball can be played just as well in day or night at Club Wyndham Dinner Plain, Club Wyndham Coffs Harbour and Club Wyndham Dunsborough.
ARE YOU A (BASKET)BALLER?
• Baseline – the line marking either end of the court
• Free throw line – the line where a free throw is taken
• Paint – the lane between the free throw line and baseline
• Three-point line – a semicircular line up either end
• Fore-court – the half-court where you are trying to score
• Close-out – when a defender slides up to the ball-handler and contains them
• Box-out – blocking a player to prevent them getting up for the rebound
• Zone defence – a defender looks after space rather than a certain player
Serving up good times
• VOLLEYBALL •
Volleyball might not have the biggest participation rate or be the most watched sport in Australia or New Zealand, but it’s a summer staple and perfect for a low-stakes, friendly competition.
Casual players usually arrange a game of beach volleyball, which can involve anywhere from two players to six. The professionals play with two, meaning there’s plenty of court to patrol, but more is not always better – six players can get in each other’s way and fail to call for the ball.
The winner of a game is the first to score 21 points and hold a two-point advantage over the opposing team. You can’t lift it with your hands, hold the ball, or cross underneath or touch the net.
Club Wyndham Kirra Beach and Club Wyndham Denarau Island can supply you with volleyball gear. Some public beaches, like Surfers Paradise, also have courts erected and you can show up with a ball. Happy playing!
SHOW US YOUR MOVES!
Serve – overarm technique to get the ball over the net
Block – putting your hands up at the net to deflect incoming ball
Dig – getting both arms under the ball and hitting it with your forearms
Set – arcing the ball with a nimble touch from the fingertips of both hands
Spike – hitting the ball down and over the net with a palm
Kick – you can stop the ball hitting the ground with your foot
Ride the wave this summer
• SURFING •
Layne Beachley, Steph Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson… some of world’s biggest surfing names hail from Down Under. Australia has serious pedigree and it’s down to the sheer number of people paddling out.
True surfers take to the water whenever the waves are up: summer or winter, pre-dawn or noon – it does not matter. Summer, with its longer days and warmer temperatures in the water is the perfect time to hit the waves and see if this is the hobby for you.
Many of the surfing hot spots around the country also feature surfing clinics ideal for learning the basics. Beginner or expert, if you want to give it a go or did not pack your board, Club Wyndham Marcoola Beach, Club Wyndham Surfers Paradise, Club Wyndham Kirra Beach, Club Wyndham Flynns Beach and Club Wyndham Torquay can lend you boards.
You can also borrow body boards at Club Wyndham Surfers Paradise, Club Wyndham Kirra Beach and Club Wyndham Flynns Beach.
If you would prefer to watch the professionals, Australia hosts two legs of the World Surfing Tour. Pro tournaments are held at Bells Beach, near Torquay, between March 26 to April 5, and Margaret River, near Dunsborough, between April 11 to 21.
Torquay is considered the birthplace of surfing in Australia. It’s a short drive from one of the nation’s best beaches, Bells Beach, is home to the Australian Surfing Museum and is the place where iconic brands Ripcurl and Quiksilver were born. It’s the perfect place to try the sport!
AUSTRALIA'S TOP SURFING BEACHES - FOR BEGINNERS
• Dicky Beach, Sunshine Coast
• Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast
• Crescent Head, Port Macquarie
• Front Beach, Torquay
• Anglesea, near Torquay
• Smiths Beach, Phillip Island
• Park Beach, Hobart
• Trigg Beach, Perth
• Currumbin Alley, Gold Coast
Make a splash
• STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING + KAYAKING •
Stand up paddle boarding developed from surf culture in Hawaii.
It is believed to have started in the 1940s when local surfing instructors stood up to keep an eye on their pupils and the swell.
In about 2007, people started using it as a form of exercise or travel and, in 2013, it became the sport with the most first-time US participants.
Nowadays, people are using these boards for touring, surfing, fishing and even yoga.
We recommend borrowing a stand up paddle board from either Club Wyndham Golden Beach, Club Wyndham Shoal Bay, or Club Wyndham Dunsborough in Australia or Club Wyndham Denarau Island in Fiji.
If you would prefer to stay seated while having a peaceful time on still waters, paddling might be better for you!
Research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests it’s one of the fastest growing sports in Australia, with about 130,000 people taking part every year.
You can get your paddle on by borrowing the kayaks at Club Wyndham Golden Beach, Club Wyndham Shoal Bay and Club Wyndham Dunsborough or canoes at Club Wyndham Ballarat in Australia, or Club Wyndham Denarau Island in Fiji!
Club Wyndham Ballarat has an even easier way to carve it up through the water: paddle boats!
CANOE VS KAYAK - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Kayaks sit on the water and glide; canoes sit in the water
Kayaks are closed deck; canoes are open deck
Kayaks have a double-bladed paddle; canoes have a single-bladed paddle
Pick up a paddle
• PICKLEBALL •
Ever heard of pickleball? The sport’s absolutely booming in the US, with close to nine million players.
Big names – from other sports – like Naomi Osaka, Lebron James and Tom Brady have already invested in it.
About 25,000 are converts and the sport is favoured by Baby Boomers – the average age in Australia is 57. It’s played on a court about the same size as a badminton court and is better played in teams of two individuals.
Keen to give it a go? Club Wyndham Golden Beach has a pickleball court and can lend you equipment. It’s an emerging sport so there’s still time to hit the big time!
Drop a different type of line
while on holiday
• FISHING •
Fishing dates back to the dawn of time and has been central to the survival of many communities.
It is a significant economic contributor, a profession and a sporting pursuit, with a number of casual participants to rival any sporting code.
Club owners can utilise fishing rods at Club Wyndham Airlie Beach, Club Wyndham Flynns Beach, Club Wyndham Shoal Bay, Club Wyndham Dunsborough and Club Wyndham Rotorua. The latter also has a fish smoker so you can cook up the fruits of your labour!
Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash
Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash
Get Your Heart Racing
• MOTORSPORTS •
At the other end of the spectrum from fishing lies motorsport.
While clearly more dangerous than most sports, it may seem physically easy – but, in reality, it places incredible demands on the driver. Research has proven drivers fight through dehydration while clothed in multi-layer fire suits and helmets in temperatures between 50°C and 60°C and their bodies – particularly their heads and necks – experience serious pressure from forces of up to 3G during cornering and braking. They are also at risk of fatigue, noise fatigue, cardiovascular stress, and carbon monoxide exposure.
While they get to sit for the entirety of the sporting event, drivers are among the toughest athletes when you consider the conditions. Australians are fortunate to be able to experience some of the world’s best motorsport, and your club accommodation places you just revs away from the best events on offer!
Next year, from March 21, Melbourne plays host to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Phillip Island welcomes the MotorGP from October 18, the V8 Supercars Gold Coast 500 begins at Surfers Paradise on October 25, while the spectacular of the Gen 3 Supercars at Sydney SuperNight takes place from July 19.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been running in Melbourne since 1996 –
and, prior to that, in Adelaide since 1985.
If you want to dabble in a less physical form of the sport, the club offers easy circuits inspired by the pro tracks, at both Club Wyndham Phillip Island and Club Wyndham Seven Mile Beach. Grab a pedal kart and see how you go!
It doesn't get any putter
• GOLF•
With Cameron Smith now and previous luminaries including Greg Norman, Karrie Webb, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Stuart Appleby, Australia has reached the pinnacles of golf. Across the ‘ditch’, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko reached world number two as recently as last year.
Australia and New Zealand boast incredible 18-hole courses and the Australasian PGA holds events throughout the South Pacific. The New Zealand Open will be held from March 3 at Arrowtown, near Wanaka, while events will be held from February 11 in Sydney, February 18 in the Hunter Valley, and February 4 at Barwon Heads near Torquay.
GOLF SCORING
Par – strokes a proficient golfer should take for a hole
Bogey – one stroke over par
Birdie – one stroke under par
Eagle – two strokes under par
Albatross – three strokes under par
Condor (unofficial) – four strokes under par
There are only six recorded “condors” in history.
If you would like to work on your handicap, Club Wyndham Coffs Harbour has a golf course next door in the Pacific Bay resort precinct. The resort also offers golf clubs which owners can book and utilise on a complimentary basis.
Like to try the miniature version? Or perhaps you want to improve your putting game? Club Wyndham Kirra Beach has a nine-hole minigolf course on site! Just ask for clubs and a ball from reception.
A Tee-riffic Alternative
The last of our sports, disc golf, is an emerging activity first played in the 1960s.
It is exactly what it sounds like – golf with a flying disc (originally called Frisbee® golf). The objective is for the sportsperson to ‘tee off’ and get the disc into the ‘hole’ – commonly, an elevated basket at the end of each fairway – in the fewest number of throws. Trees and terrain form obstacles that can challenge the player. The sport gives players the opportunity to get out in nature and do plenty of walking.
A nine-hole disc golf course can be created on about five acres (3,600m2), while just 30 to 40 acres (121,000 m2 to 162,000m2) are needed for a championship standard 18-hole course.
You can try out this sport for yourself at Club Wyndham Dinner Plain or Club Wyndham Ballarat.
Please keep in mind this story does not cover every type of sport and activity available at a club resort. We have chosen to focus on the physical codes that are conventionally considered sports, which excludes board games, chess and e-sports. We look closer at e-scooters and e-bikes later in this digital magazine. We have also excluded swimming, noting that club swimming pools may not be the correct dimensions for lap swimming and that demand for swimming pools at club properties may not always allow owners to swim laps.
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