Archery
What: Archery is like darts for people who love sports, with the aim of propelling an arrow into a target using a bow. Events can take place indoors or outdoors.
Where: There are nearly two dozen clubs around Ireland, details of which you can find on the Archery Ireland website.
Why: Helps build upper body strength and improve your all-round balance.
Badminton
What: A bit like a combination of tennis and volleyball in the sense that it’s played with racquets over a high net on a court. Can be played in single or double format.
Where: Ireland has some top badminton players including the likes of Chloe MaGee and Scott Evans and Badminton Ireland is a good place to start when looking for your local club.
Why: Badminton is a phenomenally fast sport so you can get a great cardio workout as well as improving your hand-eye coordination.
Chess-Boxing
YouTube: dan hodgson
What: A test of brains and brawn, chess-boxing does exactly what it says on the label. Competitors alternate rounds of boxing with rounds of speed chess.
Where: After some exhaustive research (a quick Google) we couldn’t find anywhere in Ireland that does chess-boxing but that shouldn’t stop you and your mates from setting up your own club.
Why: Could help settle many debates regarding who is the smartest/strongest in your group of friends.
Rock-Climbing
What: Another sport where the clue to the act is in the name and, like archery, can be done inside and out.
Where: Climbing.ie is a good place to start and even offers information on youth clubs for your kids.
Why: Climbing benefits your core fitness as well as upper and lower body strength. The higher you climb, the better it is for your concentration too.
Roller-Derby
What: Fast-paced, roller-derby is a full contact sport played by two teams skating in the same direction around a track. Points are won by lapping members of the opposing team.
Where: You can get some details about leagues and the sport in general on the Irish Roller-Derby Facebook page.
Why: If you’re interested in working on your speed and strength then roller-derby might just be for you.
Sepak Takraw
What: A sport of Asian origin, this is essentially volleyball except you’re not allowed use your hands.
Where: Like chess-boxing, there sadly doesn’t seem to be an established sepak takraw community in Ireland.
Why: Increases flexibility, dexterity and will make football training seem like a breeze after you get used to the small ball.
Trampoline Dodgeball
YouTube: jumpzoneireland
What: Everyone’s favourite sport of dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge has a new twist and it’s a bouncy one.
Where: The good folks on TheDailyEdge.ie have already taken a look at Jumpzone, Ireland’s premier spot for trampoline dodgeball.
Why: It’s dodgeball on trampolines. Do you really need another reason?
What have we missed? Is there an alternative sport you love that we didn’t mention. Let us know in the comments below.
