Bouncing around in a 16kg ball while dodging other big balls of happiness and trying to kick a…read moresmaller ball into a net. Sounds like a fabulous idea and one that will lead to many bruises and interesting tales. This was my second time at the Football factory. Each time I've found the staff to be kind, supportive and helpful. Especially during those times when I'm too busy impersonating a turtle to save myself for a bombardment of balls. The game is easy. You just need to convince at least 7 of your best mates or frenemines to join you in a round or two. A group of. 12-16 works best for good ball rotation and player down time. You don't want your players to get ball exhaustion. So you hop in a ball, bounce around and try to score goals while not getting stuck in the turtle position. The field is the average size of a indoor soccer field with appropriate protection for spectators. You don't want to see you friends squished by 16kg of big bouncy ball. A few tips to reminder-wear a tee. Singlets are a great way to get harness burn. Hard to explain to family and friends. Bring water. A lot of water for rehydrating in between rounds. Bouncing around in a giant ball is akin to a gym session wrapped in bubble wrap inside a sauna. So hot stuff. Deodorant will be needed.

I was lucky to be invited to the Football Factory to try the super-awesome-potentially brutal & not…read morefor the weak game that's bubble soccer. Kudos to Jean B for being the first one to mention it. For those wondering what on earth bubble soccer is... Well it's basically indoor soccer but you're inside a giant inflatable bubble. Forget any soccer skills that you may have or how fit you are (or think you are) because, when it comes to bubble soccer, everything goes out the window. You can expect 3 things though: - Your knuckles and knees are going to get bruised. - You'll get a good workout, sweat and very likely end up sore. - Most importantly though, you'll have heaps of fun! The guys at the football factory are great and made sure that we had a good time and enjoyed ourselves. Check them out: They do birthday parties, 5 A side comps and say what?! - Laser football?! I totally want to have a crack at that!

Bayswater Indoor Soccer Centre has been in operation for over thirty years now and plays host to…read moreover 200 teams weekly. I go here regularly to watch friends play in amateur soccer teams. The place is looking pretty dated now and it would be impossible to count all the repaired sections of the nets that surround each soccer 'field'. There are four soccer courts, two volleyball courts and two basketball courts in total. Teams play 5-a-side soccer games that are pretty short but are long enough to work up a decent sweat. On that topic, the hall can get pretty smelly with body odour at times - particularly noticeable in summer. The centre plays host to kids aged three to adults. There is a great atmosphere in there all the time. As well as the courts and soccer they have a pro sports shop directly to the right when you first walk in. The store is catered towards soccer only and stocks things like clothing, soccer balls, goals, bibs and agility poles.

Freeway Reserve is a fantastic exercise park. The walk around the edge is great, and spotted all…read morealong with different exercise stations. Don't worry, there are instruction on them all on what to do and how many reps etc. and for the most part they're in good nick. There's also an archery field, an oval and numerous sports clubs. There are sports halls as well, presumably the property of the many clubs. It's just all around a good place to go - good for a walk and talk with a friend, or a walk for the dog, or to play any number of games. I like to walk the track around the edge and sometimes sneak up the side close to the freeway. Don't worry, it's perfectly safe, there's just something very exciting about being that close to the fast cars wooshing past. And after I have had enough of walking, I go to the top corner and stand on the bridge over the freeway because THAT is exciting.