When the Romans were the dominant force on the planet, the strongest and most manly amoung them…read morebattled in the gladitorial ring of the Coleseum. Today men equal to those of yore battle for supremacy at MARS and long shall they be remembered in the pages of history. I play Basketball and Mixed Netball at MARS Sporting Complex in Marden. What makes this a good venue? Well firstly it is pretty close to where I live, which shortens the stank that seeps into the car seats. The three wooden floored courts are sprung and there is plenty of space to the sides of all courts, which can be a problem at some venue's (walls leave big bruises). The other thing that I like is the umpires, in particular the head netball umpire who is a champ. I think a place where the umpires take the time to get to know you is one you should keep going back to, as I have been for 15 years! One big negative is that when it is hot outside it is STUPIDLY hot inside! The aircon only encompasses the front canteen and upstairs Gym, and the 5 or 6 fans just don't cut the mustard. As mentioned, other than the three courts there is also a full gym (with classes etc) and an indoor rock climbing wall. The canteen/bar does not serve alcohol (it used to) which is a right bummer! Also keep in mind that parking can be tight on the occasions that the neighbouring soccer club has training as they choose to park in the gym parking rather than their own. P.S. the times listed are office hours, but the social games start as late as 10:30 on some evenings.

A multi-faceted sports activity/leisure facility. I've been playing ball here for years…read more It gets too hot in summer and too cold in winter but these are great excuses to forget the weather and just run around. The gym upstairs, although I've never been a member, is 24 hours and accessible from its own entrance way on the side of the building. Admittedly, sometimes the staff could use a little more training in hospitality/customer service, but it's not really a place you go to get ultra high service. There are plenty of drinks and bites to eat at the kiosk, the guys running the comps always get the schedules up online in time but sometimes they get it a little wrong (they do take over the phone enquiries). If you've got a few mates that wanna chuck the ball round on a weeknight/weekend, and at least one of you can organise you all to show up each week, get in and give Mars a go. It's a sweaty fun time!

The GBC is my second home when it comes to Lawn Bowls. The current Premier League champions and my…read moreold club, the home of the Dolphins is one of the highest regarded Lawn Bowling Clubs going around. There are many reasons why this club is brilliant and first on the list is the Greens. They are quite simply the best in the state, and the Keeper has had them that way for quite some time now! The club is only two streets from the beach and has a large central hall, perfect for medium to large functions and hosts a very successful Night Owls competition on Thursday nights. The only thing that tops the greens are the people at Grange. Always happy and looking for a mate to have a roll and a drink with, they are available to help new players and will greet any 'newbie' off the street with a smile and probably a schooner. Parking is pretty easy most of the time with plenty of street spaces available. If that is a bit on the busy side head to the far end of the club and there is a some on site parking at the back.

I have a friend who has just starting playing for the Dolphins at the Grange Bowling Club, and he…read moreabsolutely loves it there. He claims that the ground is great, the club is great, the people are great, and that he as a bowler is great because of it. I don't mind watching him play at Grange, because I can either sit in with the 'crowd' in the shade, or I can park my car in a good spot and watch from there, which I like. Because, to be honest, I kind of need my music whilst watching people play lawn bowls. No offence! The men here are always welcoming new people to have a bowl with them, and they have welcomed my friend with open arms. Also, it's a really good venue that I'm pretty sure you're able to hire as well, which is good. If there is anything that "Crackerjack" has taught us is that lawn bowls clubs are fantastic for beer.

Magill Sports Centre is a part of the UniSA Magill campus and offers excellent recreational…read morefacilities not only to the students but also to the general public. The swimming pool is one of the cleanest in the State, so safe in fact you can drink it...not that you'd want to do it intentionally anyway but it won't make you sick after a few accidental gulps. This summer it will be open Mon - Fri 6.00am - 8.00pm and at $3.00 per entry it's one of the cheapest in SA. The pool is not undercover so slip, slop, slap or at least go when the sun isn't at it's fiercest. Lanes are segregated to cater for swim schools, coaching, lap swimming and for generally having a fun splash. It also offers a full gym inside the complex but for futher details check out the website or phone.

Hidden in the bushland of the Uni SA site is a concrete bunker and in its backyard is a sparkling…read moreclean uncrowded jewel - their swimming pool. Out of school term the mornings are filled with life saving lessons, and during term there are learn to swim classes in the afternoons, but the rest of the time you'll pretty much own the pool. The staff are friendly, the prices are from another era ($4 students/concession), there's a gym and a shower block inside and plenty of parking (on the street is free). The details are up to date on https://www.unisa.edu.au/Health-Sciences/Services/Health-clinics/Health-and-Fitness-Centres/swim/

It is actaully surrounded by Allchurch Avenue, Talbot Avenue and Park Terrace. Five stars is a BIG…read morecall but this playground is Reserve is better than most free outdoor area's and is about the best of its kind until you get to the much bigger Parks like Jubilee Park or St Kilda. Best of all and what it makes it 5 star worthy, it really does have all the age groups covered. Plus it's a place you can organise a whole day out becuase it has toilets! And GREAT toilets. So good I have done a separate review just on the toilet as it is so worthy!!!! You have to go read about the toilet http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/public-toilet-north-plympton There is a large open grassed area. There is a sign that says no hard ball play on the area though so cricket is out but with tennis balls it would be okay. They also have a basketball area and tennis court. On top of that there isa fantastic playground with heaps of different area's and activites as well as a Liberty Swing. It is a fully fenced swing made with wheelchair access. It's the most fantastic thing I have ever seen at a playground. It's so good to see children with disabilities being included with a special swing even they can use as well as disabled toilet facilities. They have BBQ's, plenty of seating in the shade of the trees and some more seating under a shelter in the centre of the park. Drinking fountains work! Rubbish bins on site as well. Only minor confusion about this park is that there is a doggy bag dispenser in it, I have seen heaps of people walking through here with dogs and there is a sign at the park itself that says dogs not allowed within 2 metres of playground. Yet when I look up the Council's website it says dogs are prohibited on this Reserve. Then why contradict yourselves with doggy bags and signs??????

This playground has a lot to offer a LOT of people. The actual play equipment is a little dated and…read moreit's not the most extensive range you can find but the Reserve, as a whole offers a great day out. There's tennis courts, a basket ball hoop, a drinking fountain, shelter for spectators at the tennis courts, sheltered table closer to the playground, BBQs, toilets and a mechanical swing for those children in wheel chairs. Not to mention the large lawn area where you could spread out a picnic rug or set up a friendly game of footy. This is certainly an area where you could spend many hours with friends and family but make sure you pack other things for the children to play with....I'm not sure if the playground would amuse them for the whole time. *Dogs allowed (not in playground area) *Drinking fountain* *Shelter* *BBQ's* *Tennis Courts* *Basketball Hoop* *Toilets*

I signed up to the Aquatic Centre, and am loving it so far. I have never had to share a lane! This…read moreis a first in my swimming experience. The 25 metre lap pools are a good depth and wide enough lanes. The diving pool is fantastic for water running and for a more casual swim. The change rooms are clean and well-looked after. The members only change room is smaller and more private, and each cubicle has a soap dispenser, which is handy if you forget things as much as I do. The spas and saunas are great. There are two large spas, which I would go in more often if they weren't mostly filled with overweight old men or kissing couples. Nothing can keep me out of the sauna though. They have a dry and a wet sauna. I frequent the dry sauna, as it is just the right temperature that you can stay in it for a reasonable time. You're sweating like crazy, but it only becomes uncomfortable after about 10 minutes for me, which is longer than I can normally bear it. This is a well planned and set out facility, with plenty of showers and drinking fountains. I only wish I was a lot younger and could play in the kid's pools, because they look fantastic.

The North Adelaide Aquatic Centre is part of the Adelaide City Council and has recently been…read morerefurbished. Lots of free car parking on site depending on what time of day you arrive and from there a short walk to the front entrance. Surrounded by parklands and the ever so popular Bush Magic playground in Park 2 nearby, is sure to please all family members. Entry prices are reasonable: adults and kids $7.50ea, kids under 3 years of age are FREE, concession $6.00 and there is a family pass of $21 (see conditions). A multi pass can also be purchased if you wish to be a regular. There are three types of swimming pools being main, diving and leisure pools, spa, sauna, gym, steam room and other sessions. Inside is a cafe and swim shop for all your daily needs and especially is you've forgotten something from home ie towels, etc. Every school holidays there are programs for kids to join, a creche for the kids whilst mums and dads get their fix of fitness and birthday parties are also catered for. Check out their website for more information and opening / closing times. If you don't want to get fried at the beach or have sand kicked in your face by passing dogs, go to the pool!

i find that this bowling centre is really clean. The lightings are dim, but the overall ambience is…read morecool. I like it. The lanes are divided into two sections, where in between it is the restrooms. There are various arcade games available to keep you occupied if you are waiting for your games/lanes. There's also a pool table and an air hockey table around. I'm pretty sure the place will be packed during weekends. From the first few throws, it did felt like the lane isn't as oily anymore. However, since we went there in the evening, it's common for lanes to run dry. It makes no difference to me though. I'm no curler nor spinner. I'm just your average straight ball down the middle guy. So long as i hit the sweet spot, the pins will go down.;) I also find the staff in the Centre are all very polite and genuinely interested in providing you a service. A smile always make my day and they have more than provided that.

I came here about a week ago for a Christmas party and had an amazing time! The laser skirmish was…read moresuper fun, even if I kept getting tagged by children, I fell over during my first turn of bowling (I got laughed at by the entire group) and still came first. The only thing I found kinda weird was the bowling mechanics having the pins on strings, which is something I've never seen before. I would love to come back at some point!

On a balmy summer's eve this is a beautiful and intimate space to watch a tennis match. The seats…read moreare incredibly close to the courts and in the late afternoon you get plenty of shade from both grandstands. I went for the World Tennis Challenge and was surprised at the variety of food vans available. Aside from your standard dogs and batter coated batter on sticks, there was fresh pizzas, squid, spuds and Beyond India curries available. Coopers beer, Jacobs Creek and Monteith's Cider were available at reasonable prices for a sporting event. You certainly get to know the other attendees sitting next to you and could even play a bit of footsie or knee sports with the people sitting in front or behind you, but that's the same at sporting events everywhere in Adelaide. My biggest tip when booking tickets for the World Tennis Challenge is to be aware that there are 2 courts and that the best players will play on the right hand court (furthest away from the entrance) because that's where the sponsor tents and stands are. If you get a rush from the sound of tennis clapping interspersed with cries of "out" or radio announcements of "Advantage Williams" this is great place to spend a summer eve.

I will always remember Memorial Drive as my first outdoor concert venue when I was 15 years old and…read moresaw Jet live a,one with rock band support acts. I was too young (apparently) to go with my best friend alone so my Mum claimed she liked Jet and wanted to go anyway and came along. She sat in the stands and held our jackets and bags while little me and my even tinier friend made our way through the masses to the mosh pit. We had a great time, the place is an awesome music venue, being open air, good sized and the sound was fine from what I can remember. They also hold tennis tournaments here, which is what it is primarily used for, and they are always successful. Memorial Drive is not too big that it can't be filled and the seating and surface are suitable for a variety of events.

I grew up on Albert St, and as a child the Albert St Playground used to be my stomping ground…read more It has changed considerably since those days, the play equipment has been replaced from the old metal and rubber, to those padded plastic things that leave practically no possibility of harm to children. They have also removed a lot of the shrubbery and trees, which as I recall, we had a lot more fun playing in than anything else. The park is closed off by a nice white picket fence, which makes for a same environment. There is a stretch of grass which extends backwards towards the playground from the gate which serves for kicking balls or games of cricket, albeit on a small scale by small participants. There are a few old gums which have survived the cutback, situated towards the edges of park. All lower limbs appear to have been removed however, looks like the kiddies won't be doing any tree climbing.