There are three cricket associations in Adelaide that have community cricket competitions that international students can get involved in.
When choosing a competition or club to join, consider your nearest club geographically and reach out to them directly.
You can find a local cricket club on PlayHQ or reach out to a representative at your study institution - many major institutions run a club in the local competition with discounted fees for students.
There are 58 cricket clubs that play in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association (ATCA). ATCA runs varied leagues in metropolitan Adelaide, suitable for all ages, genders and skill levels.
To join the competition, approach a club directly or contact the team at ATCA.
The Adelaide and Suburban Cricket Association is the largest of the metropolitan cricket associations, with 10 different Division competitions. Between 8 and 10 clubs compete in each division. These clubs are predominantly from the southern, central suburbs and over 70 teams competing across a variety of different grades.
ASCA also runs a T20 competition with 3 Divisions.
Both Male and Female players are welcome to play for clubs.
The second largest metropolitan cricket association is the the Para Districts Cricket Association , which generally fields teams located in the Northern Suburbs.
There are 8 division competitions with around 8 teams competing in each division. The Association has been growing steadily and now features both men's and women's senior competitions.
Football in Australia is often referred to as soccer. This is to avoid confusion with Aussie Rules, which is also known as football (or footy).
Given Adelaide's multi-cultural population, there are many football clubs spread right across Adelaide.
The teams compete in different leagues including the Collegiate Soccer League, SA Masters Soccer League (for players over 35), and the South Australian Amateur Soccer League.
There are also the National Premier Leagues SA, State League 1 and State League 2 competitions run by Football South Australia.
Visit Play Football for help finding your nearest club.
The African Nations Cup has been held since 2001, and in 2023 there were 16 teams competing in the men's division and 6 teams in the women's division.
Drawing from more than 20 African countries, the cup is run by the African Communities Council of South Australia and the Football Federation of South Australia.
More than just a football tournament, the African Nations Cup is also a celebration of African culture in South Australia. The tournament usually kicks off in November and runs over two weekends.
Badminton SA is formed by affiliated clubs and associations from both the country and metropolitan areas. Badminton SA runs graded inter-club competitions on weeknights at its Lockleys headquarters over summer and winter. The association also runs the state’s premier tournaments at senior level (the SA Open, City of Adelaide, Joy Twining & Joan Jones).
Clubs associated with Badminton SA play across South Australia, to find a local club visit the Badminton SA website or contact your study institution as they may have a student badminton club.
Image: South Australian Tourism Commission | TrailScapes
There are a number of cycling clubs across Adelaide, including student-led clubs run by study institutions. These clubs are active in the local racing scene and you can compete in any grade or join just for the social side of it. You can also choose to participate in training rides with your club.
Joining a cycling club is a great way to meet new people, improve your fitness, as well as discover new routes around Adelaide.
To find a local cycling club, visit AusCycling .
A tennis club can help you interact with fellow-minded players of every skill level. By joining your local club you can have healthy competition and make friends at the same time.
There are also many tennis courts spread right across Adelaide that you can use free of charge (when not being used for competitions).
Memorial Drive Tennis Club, based just outside of the CBD, is one of the largest clubs. The Club offers both social and competitive tennis and there is access to professional coaching.
To find alternative local clubs, try searching on Google.
In Adelaide, there are a number of Hockey competitions and events you can get involved with depending on your skill level and age.
Hockey SA is the governing body for all hockey in South Australia, they have a range of club based competitions in both winter and summer, as well as social programs.
To find a local club, use their online club finder.
Netball holds a special place in SA, thriving through a variety of competitions and leagues that cater to different skill levels and ages. From the grassroots level in community clubs to the highly competitive Premier League, there are opportunities for both women and men to join in.
Local clubs across SA provide a supportive and dynamic environment for players to develop their skills, engage in healthy competition and foster a sense of community. As one of the most popular sports in the state, you'll have plenty of local leagues choose from!
You can find a local netball club at Netball SA or often at your study institution.
The state boasts a strong basketball community, from local clubs to competitive leagues. Community basketball leaguesoffer opportunities for social players, youth and amateurs to engage in the sport.
Local clubs and community centres across Adelaide and regional areas are hubs, fostering a strong sense of community and sportsmanship.
To find a competition that suits your skill level visit Basketball SA, the Adelaide Community Basketball Centre or speak to your study institution.
Image: South Australian Tourism Commission | AFL Max
Aussie Rules Football, known as "footy," is more than just a sport in Australia—it's also a cultural icon, especially in SA. It thrives at the grassroots level with a network of local clubs playing a pivotal role in communities across the state.
These clubs extend from the heart of Adelaide to the farthest regional towns. They offer a welcoming environment for players of all abilities and ages to engage in the game, whether for fitness, competition or simply the love of footy. It doesn't matter if you’re new to footy or a few years in, there's a local competition for you as they're grouped by gender and grade.
Every local SA club is associated with a League Club. Use the AFL club finder to locate your local club, and find out which SANFL League zone you're in, or speak to your study institution.
