When Kim Dias moved to Caledonia, Ont., several years ago, she figured the best way to meet women in her community was to join a recreational sports team. She was right.
"I have met some wonderful women since I have played with this team and continue to speak with many of them during the off-season," the 31-year-old public health nurse explains of her three-pitch baseball league. "The women are out to have fun and socialize."
Fun, fitness and fair play
Having fun with the girls may be exactly what drives women to women-only team sports but they're also gaining health rewards. "For women, there's certainly a myriad of fitness benefits -- it improves your cardio, your endurance and in some cases your flexibility," says McGill University fitness coordinator Jill Barker.
If you'd like to join a team, Barker suggests picking a sport you've played before, no matter how long ago, so you'll have some confidence on the field. Also, try to get in on a start-up so all players are at the same level. Otherwise, tell the league you're new so they'll place you with players of similar skill.
Here's a rundown on just some of the most popular team sports for women:
SOCCER
The goal: Recreational soccer involves five to seven teammates on the field trying to score in the opponent's net.
Why should you play? If you watched the 1999 World Cup Finals, in which U.S. soccer player Brandi Chastain scored the winning penalty kick -- and took off her shirt to celebrate -- you probably realized how beautiful, challenging and thrilling the game is. Soccer involves a lot of running so you'll get your heart pumping while having fun.
Why women-only? "It's the only fair playing field and the truest gauge of talent," says Paula Krulicki, a production coordinator in Toronto who has played soccer for over 20 years. "There is less apprehension about going into tackles against other women."
More information: Canadian Soccer Association
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