Softball is a great summer sport that is perfectly aimed at those who like to be active and…read moresocialise at the same time! The Cardiff league has been running now since 2006 and is made up of 8 teams that play from April through to August at Llandaff fields and Pontanna Fields. The league plays the co-ed slowpitch version of the game, teams are equally mixed between male and female players and the ball is pitched under arm. While at first glance the game my seem complicated, it is very easy to start playing and before long become addicted! I have been playing for many years and when the clocks change to BST (British Softball Time) I know it is time to get the glove out for Spring training. The league is a very friendly bunch of people, they always welcome new player to the league.

This is Cardiff's University's main sports facility, and it hosts most of its indoor sports clubs…read moreas well as a few classes such as aerobics. The facilities are pretty extensive, including a large multi-purpose sports hall; a field hall with six badminton courts, 5-a-side pitch and cricket nets; Martial Arts Dojo; a gym; and outdoor tennis and netball courts, grass hockey pitch and another pitch suitable for rugby, football and general training. Incorporated into the Talybont Halls of Residence campus site, it's hugely convenient for the many first year students living there, but not so convenient for everyone else. Still, it's only about a 20-25 minute walk from central Cathays or Roath for the majority of other students, and it's certainly well used.

Talybont sports centre is somewhere you should definitely be signing up to join if you're a Cardiff…read morestudent to keep the beer belly at bay. It is easily accessible to students staying at Talybont halls, but you can reach it by car if it's a bit too far for you as it has a car park. It has a large sports hall, badminton courts, a gym, outdoor courts and a large grass pitch for a number of sports. The membership is normally pay as you go or you can have a monthly or annual deal, the best deals are normally provided at the sports fayre at the union where they will have a stand enticing the students to stay healthy, despite the pot noodle dinners. I found the facilities really good and the changing rooms were nice and clean, I only wish I could have the motivation to attend a little more often....

The 4 stars are for the quality of the facility as it is a community use venue and a well appointed…read moreone. The centre is connect with Cardiff FC which helps I guess. staff were helpful although they were not sure where all the equipment was. I believe the facility is available for hire however they have an extensive community programme so how much spec and time is available I would not like to comment on. The downside is that parking is very limited so always check if they have big events on or if the football club, which is next door, has a fixture.

The track at this centre was the first purpose-built indoor athletics track to be created anywhere…read morein the UK. Used by students on sports courses at UWIC, as well as student clubs, the general public, and governing bodies such as the Welsh Netball Association, there's seating capacity for 690 spectators so it's also used to host major events. Although the centre is mainly intended for various types of athletics such as running, vaulting and jumping, it also accommodates other sports including netball, basketball and volleyball. The centre features a full competition 200 metre banked track; a 9-lane 60 metre straight; a separate 6-lane 140 metre straight; competition and training Long and Triple Jump pits; competition and training Pole Vault pits; a competition and training High Jump pit; training nets for all the throwing events; a fully equipped biomechanics laboratory.

I am a former athlete who used to train at the national sports centre in cardiff, i have now…read morestopped going there for reasons i shall explain. I was a high jumper and i have competed at a top level many times before. I trained at sofia gardens for roughly a year and half, i wasnt impressed with the coaching offered there i felt as if they just let anybody train us and wasnt interested about me, they have loads of football coaches there and a good level but for the high jump there was just the one who didnt really make a big effort and for me that was a really dissapointing and let down feeling. I really wanted things to change but they just didnt and for that reason i left, i know many others who have done the same. They just concentrate on what they want when they want.

Riley's pool and snooker offers members a large number of (American style) pool tables and snooker…read moretables. The snooker tables are in a quiet room without televisions, and the pool tables are in what could pass for a normal sports bar. The place is normally quite empty when I go to play and the clientele seem to be 18 year old boys for the most part (and they are well-behaved). The pool tables have seen better days and should probably be refelted, and you should definitely bring your own cue as theirs are warped beyond belief! Staff is difficult to find on occasion.

From the owner: The ultimate modern fully air-conditioned 1st floor sports club where you can relax with 50"…read moreSamsung skyHD, multi darts 'throw' zone, poker, snooker, american and english pool tables.