Sports Clubs in Andalucia
Spain’s warm climate goes hand in hand with all manner of outdoor sporting activities. This is especially true of tennis, which is well represented in terms of sports clubs. In fact, many residential urbanisations include the use of free or subsidized tennis courts, right in the middle of the complex. However, for something more upmarket, you can join one of hundreds of tennis clubs. In the south west region of Andalucia for example, there are the following clubs you can choose from: the Club de Tenis Gaviota in San Roque, the Algeciras Club de Tenis, and the Club de Tenis La Barrosa.
Moving along the Costa del Sol coastline, there are many in Marbella and Puerto Banus, while the city of Malaga boasts at least seven top class facilities. Seville has five main tennis clubs (including Real Club de Tenis Betis and Club de Tenis El Pino), while Almeria can boast at least five. Along with tennis, the sport of ‘Paddle Tennis’ is also extremely popular in southern Spain. It’s sort of a cross between conventional tennis and squash. In other words it’s played outside, but the court is smaller, and the ball bounces back off purpose built walls on the side. Often sneered at by tennis aficionados (as it’s played with a small bat and basically a softball) it has simple rules and is easy to pick up.
Sotogrande, on the Costa del Sol’s southern coast has become famous across Europe for the sport of Polo, and the Santa Maria Polo Club has become synonymous with the best the sport has to offer. And cricket clubs are also available, with the Marbella Cricket Club and the La Manga Club in Murcia, being the most widely known.Of course, for the less energetic, there is also a surprisingly large choice of bowls sports clubs, catering mainly for those who are nearing or already in retirement. It’s a sport played on a large green, and is extremely popular in the UK. The large numbers of British expats who have settled in Spain, especially on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, is feeding the demand for this sport. In fairness, it’s also becoming popular amongst the younger generation. Clubs include the Albir bowls club in Alicante, the Paraiso Mar bowls club in Calpe, and the San Miguel bowls club, also in Alicante province. Of course, for the expat’s most popular sport – golf – visit our golf section by clicking on the ‘golf’ tab above. |
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