I've been playing soccer since I was 8 and for Metro since I was 14. I have played my up from under…read more15s to Division 1 in those 8 years and have enjoyed my time there immensly. Since splitting from Metro Stars in 2005, the women have made a strong name for themselves, establishing their own club. At one point there were 7 teams, from under 11s to Premier League, but there are normally 4 or 5 teams per year. We have had success at every level, with many players winning leagues and playing at Hindmarsh Stadium in Cup Final's. The atmosphere is amazing and the people who run the club and so friendly and dedicated. The committee is made up of around 10-12 male and females who have been with the club since the split from the men's or a newbies with kids in the juniors. Game day and trainings are always great with heaps supporters, bbqs, games, raffles and fundraisers throughout the year. If you have a girl or are one interested in soccer in the North East, definitely go along to Metro to try it out and meet everyone.

When the Romans were the dominant force on the planet, the strongest and most manly amoung them…read morebattled in the gladitorial ring of the Coleseum. Today men equal to those of yore battle for supremacy at MARS and long shall they be remembered in the pages of history. I play Basketball and Mixed Netball at MARS Sporting Complex in Marden. What makes this a good venue? Well firstly it is pretty close to where I live, which shortens the stank that seeps into the car seats. The three wooden floored courts are sprung and there is plenty of space to the sides of all courts, which can be a problem at some venue's (walls leave big bruises). The other thing that I like is the umpires, in particular the head netball umpire who is a champ. I think a place where the umpires take the time to get to know you is one you should keep going back to, as I have been for 15 years! One big negative is that when it is hot outside it is STUPIDLY hot inside! The aircon only encompasses the front canteen and upstairs Gym, and the 5 or 6 fans just don't cut the mustard. As mentioned, other than the three courts there is also a full gym (with classes etc) and an indoor rock climbing wall. The canteen/bar does not serve alcohol (it used to) which is a right bummer! Also keep in mind that parking can be tight on the occasions that the neighbouring soccer club has training as they choose to park in the gym parking rather than their own. P.S. the times listed are office hours, but the social games start as late as 10:30 on some evenings.

A multi-faceted sports activity/leisure facility. I've been playing ball here for years…read more It gets too hot in summer and too cold in winter but these are great excuses to forget the weather and just run around. The gym upstairs, although I've never been a member, is 24 hours and accessible from its own entrance way on the side of the building. Admittedly, sometimes the staff could use a little more training in hospitality/customer service, but it's not really a place you go to get ultra high service. There are plenty of drinks and bites to eat at the kiosk, the guys running the comps always get the schedules up online in time but sometimes they get it a little wrong (they do take over the phone enquiries). If you've got a few mates that wanna chuck the ball round on a weeknight/weekend, and at least one of you can organise you all to show up each week, get in and give Mars a go. It's a sweaty fun time!

Props to Mitcham Council for setting up this skate park in Karinya Reserve. It develops…read moresportmanship skills in our youth plus it keeps them away from the perils of today's society. Strictly for skateboarding, BMX and in-line skating, this facility is open to the public at 7am-10pm. I took my sons here and they were in absolute awe seeing the boys flip their BMX bikes in the air, before coming down on a ramp. Some were diving in straight into the open bowls and churning more fun bike stunts over the ledge. Not one for me to master though! Certainly for those above 12 years who have mastered this skills but I did see a couple of kids in their 8-10 year age range who came here strapped with helmet, scooter in tow and a huge smile. Note: Tricycles and mini bikes are not permitted here. Double note: Seems to be a boy zone, so don't expect to see a pink scooter here! :-)

Combine booze, eating hot dogs and exercise and whattaya get? iCA Sportzworx Stepney. That's…read morewhat. Play the MCG (the courts are named: MCG, SCG, WACA..), have a beer. Or visa versa. In the summer, the building traps more heat than the Eastern Promises Turkish bath fight scene and you get a little thirsty out there. Play cricket, soccer, netball and dodge ball indoors. But lets chat netball since that's what I know about. The refz (as they're called at Sportzworx) are great. They tend to be equipped with the big personality necessary to deal with the BS that occasionally arises. It can get feisty out there. The price is $63 per game, which as an example, works out to be $8 a player for our team. There's a $40 per team sign up fee. And they offer student discounts. The bar is like a mezzanine level, located in between the two sets of courts. You see everything up there, like a powerless air traffic controller. Get involved.

I used to play indoor mixed netball here for my uni team and the place is pretty well equipped but…read moreI have played at better rec centres. The location is good for city people but the parking is a little scarce and dark. The courts are surfaced with the stuff that canes if you fall over, and the nets line the sides. They offer mixed sports of cricket, netty, soccer in all different levels. Also the mezzanine bar is pretty cool and the food is alright too.

This playground has some of the newer equipment you will find in the City of West Torrens and has…read moresome interesting challenges for those children under Primary School age. I'm sure older children would enjoy the equipment also, there just wouldn't be that sense of challenge, especially with the climbing equipment. Tennis courts are directly beside the playground. One section of the playground should get some decent shade in between the trees and shade structure incorporated into the equipment itself. The climbing frames are in direct sunlight. Seeing as this playground is part of a 'bigger picture', that being Camden Oval, I'm sure there would be toilets and drinking fountains/taps somewhere near by but I couldn't see them and I didn't go looking. They might only be available to the public when there are other sporting activities happening at the oval. *Dogs allowed*

I've mentioned before that when I turn up to a local sports oval, I never know what I'm going to…read morefind in terms of an engaging playground. You would be surprised the number of ovals that turn a blind eye to the playground area. Not Goodwood Oval! This playground would be great anywhere but seeing as it's in this environment where children can not only be engaged and excited by the playground but also have some interaction with the adult sports going on around them, creates a wonderful place where activity is encouraged throughout the different age groups. This playground really caters for a wide range of ages. There is a fenced off playground for the toddlers and younger, and then an bigger playground for the 'big kids'. Not only are the playgrounds engaging, there are toilets nearby, a drinking fountain, a BBQ and a table/chair area. The entire play areas are rubber floored....I love that! The gardens have been built up around the edges of the playground which add to the beauty of the area. Very impressed with this set up!! *Dogs allowed (not in fenced playground or within 3 meters of equipment)* *Drinking fountain* *Table/chair area (not sheltered)* *BBQ*

This is one of my favourite playgrounds in Adelaide. It might not have the newest or fanciest…read moreequipment - but it's such a lovely place to go. The Oval itself is a large space, that's often got some sort of sporting activity going on. When there's nothing on you'll still see groups of people training, or people playing with their dogs. There's also a smaller dog exercise area which is often in use. The playground is also always being used. Often the parents will be talking while kids just have fun. There's a small play section fenced off to create a safe place for younger kids, while the older kids generally have free reign on the larger playground. You never need to worry about finding scowling teens hanging out like you do at some playgrounds - it's always a place for the kids. The charm of the whole place comes from the fact that the community really use it - and seem to appreciate it. It's a welcoming little place that is perfect for the many families that live around it. Another plus is during New Years Eve or the Royal Adelaide Show you can find a good spot on the oval and watch the fireworks.

The Joslin Reserve provided much entertainment for my good self in my teenage years and into my…read moreearly twenties. The younger version of myself went to practice tennis, whereas the older version would find himself there late at night, mildly intoxicated, playing on the swings and giggling! Really, it is a typical inner suburban park with a basket ball hoop, slippery dip and a bit of grass space for tge pick up soccer game. For me, it gets four stars because it was my old local haunt and it is a pretty nice park.

Urgh! I hate that I've reviewed 9 playgrounds within the City of Mitcham today and none of them…read morehave rated above three stars! This playground certainly offers equipment for older children unlike what I've seen in other playgrounds. I guess the tennis students would have this playground to occupy themselves while waiting for a game or training? There's also equipment here for the younger children too and even has easy access steps to the slide for the youngsters who can't balance on ladders or chains yet. You certainly don't have to worry about traffic here, this playground is kind of in the middle of streets which is great for road safety but can make parking interesting. In this case, park on Angas and walk through to the tennis courts and playground. (Tennis courts are part of a club and not open for public use...from what I could tell) There is some sheltered seating but that's directed more at the people watching tennis than the playground. *Dogs on leash* *Toilets (part of tennis club)*