Sports and Recreation

Like everywhere in the world, people in Canada and NL like to engage in physical activities and enjoy sports, both as participants and as spectators or fans.

Canadians welcome new sports that create friendly rivalry.

Newcomers arrive with different sporting passions and traditions and may be unfamiliar with sports traditionally popular in Canada. Newer sports, such as cricket, are an inclusive way to bring communities together.

For a comprehensive list of sports in NL communities, visit sportnl.ca.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Canada played against Sweden to win its first-ever gold medal in women’s soccer. Millions of Canadians followed the suspenseful match.

The Canadian women’s soccer team’s Olympic gold medal win may be remembered as a defining moment for the sport in the country.

The theme from Team Canada at the 2020 Olympics was “Glory from Anywhere”  — highlighting Canadian athletes with different stories and backgrounds, who all took unique journeys to find their way:

“Glory isn’t restricted by age, history, experience, geography, orientation, or even a birth certificate. It can come from anywhere… It belongs to the ones who go beyond borders, overcome obstacles, and defy expectations. Inside all of us lives the potential for glory.” – Team Canada

The most popular sport in Canada is hockey by far, but baseball, football, soccer and basketball are enjoyed by many as well.

Curling is another popular sport in Canada, more than in any other country. In curling players slide stones across a sheet of ice into a target area. It is believed that the sport was invented in medieval Scotland, and made popular by Scottish immigrants in Canada in modern times. Since 1998 curling has been a Winter Olympic sport.

Children and Youth Sports in NL

Many children become involved in sports at a very young age through school and other programs. Many compete against opponents of their age group in leagues and tournaments, in teams and individually. Virtually every educational institution has official sports teams.

Adults and Family Recreation

There are many ways adults and families can engage in sports and recreation on the Island – you can join a gym, a sports or recreational club, or simply get together with a group of friends for a game of soccer or bowling, for example. In spring, summer and fall, hiking or biking is a great way to stay fit and healthy and enjoy the outdoors. In winter there are places to skate, ski or toboggan, and many facilities where sports can be played indoors.

Cities and towns publish recreation guides and distribute them to residents. In those guides you can find detailed information on recreational activities for the upcoming season.

A lot of recreational activities can be done for free or at a low cost. Sometimes recreational or sports programs will have special prices or subsidies for individuals or families with low incomes.

To find recreation activities in your community:

  • Look for notices in your local newspaper and bulletin boards
  • Check at your local community centre
  • Contact the parks and recreation department of your town or city
  • Visit the provincial or national parks websites
  • Look in the Yellow Pages under ‘Recreation Centres‘
  • Contact SportNL for a list of sport organizations, activities, or clubs

Seniors Programming in NL

The goal of Seniors’ Programs is to extend services to as many older adults as possible within the city through the provision of recreation programs and events that can enrich and enhance their lives.

A lot of recreational activities can be done for free or at a low cost. Sometimes recreational or sports programs will have special prices or subsidies for individuals or families with low incomes.

Related Resources

Related Topics in this Guide

Continue to Community Groups and Organizations
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