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.

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.

Ultimate Fitness Centre is a newly opened gym and kickboxing facility opened just off City Road. It…read moreseems to be a replacement for the old Cardiff Kick Boxing outlet at 166 City Road. Denzil Lawrence and Spiro Micallef who used to operate out of this facility are now using Ultimate Fitness Centre, and the new premises carries the Cardiff Kickboxing insignia. I don't profess to know a huge amount about kickboxing, but it seems that Ultimate Fitness Centre are offering something a little different. Lee, a Muay Thai instructor, claims that Ultimate Fitness Centre are the only authentic Muay Thai Club in Cardiff, Barry, Rhondda and Vale of Glamorgan. He says that "there are many who claim this but can't back it with results, documentation or history". Apparently Muay Thai is different from kickboxing in that it is technically superior, and therefore I imagine it presents more of a challenge. Ring Lee for further details: 07792204881 Denzil Lawrence: 07932 253849 Spiro Micallef: 07710 477524

I have a lot of pent-up rage, so I thought taking a few classes at the Ultimate Fitness Centre…read morewould be like therapy, only funner. Armed with my fellow female partner-in-crime, I was ready for my first tutorial in ass kicking. The tuition is one of several offered by the gym, which includes a beginner class on Mondays and Thursdays at 6. You feel like you're in an authentic set up here, which of course adds to the Rocky-esque experience I was hoping for. The warm-up includes running, push-ups and sit-ups, followed by pairing up with a partner for a lesson in punching, kicking and elbow wielding (my favourite) using standard boxing gloves and pads. As my friend and I were the only two girls in the class, our instructor took extra time to explain self-defence manoeuvres which fell on gracious ears. The class is only £4 for the hour, and no sign up or registration is required. I'd recommend purchasing your own set of gloves, as the ones on offer smell like what you'd expect from sweaty boxing gear. Yeah, this ain't nothing like Boxercise. And I'm so going back.

This is not for the faint hearted, its for people who can really swim and have probably done so all…read moretheir lives. You have to get through trials to get in so you or your children have to be good. What you in return is top class coaching and development at the really great international pool down in the bay. I think I was hoping more for a group of like minded people who just liked swimming. I am far to crap to ever get in the team but if you serious about swimming its a great club.

This rowing club is based on the River Taff in the leafy Llandaff area of Cardiff, with a course of…read more1,200 metres of calm water for club members. They cater for everyone, all ages and rowing levels - with a young Junior Squad, a Men's Squad and a Women's Squad - as well as a Veteran Squad! It was formed after World War Two, when members of Taff and Cardiff Rowing Clubs both found their boathouses burnt or collapsed, and their boats missing. The members of the clubs joined forces to create one new club, rebuilding the Taff clubhouse. They have different types of club members. There's full membership for real rowers, with access to all the club's facilities (around £255 a year) - and with free coaching and equipment. Then there's 'social' membership, for just use the club bar and lounge (which only costs about £25 a year). There are various other membership categories at different prices, however, such as separate fees for juniors, students, senior citizens, and so on. The club can also offer storage space for boats at the club - for a fee. Anyone who's interested in joining the club is welcome to go along to the venue at the weekend for a visit, or early weekday evenings, and find out more from existing members.

I visited here a few weeks ago for a friend's birthday party. An excellent venue with views over…read morethe River Taff, and plenty of room for both dining and dancing. The club can deal with all your catering needs, and is a good venue for all social events particularly with the Llandaff set, as if you live locally you can easily walk home and don't have to worry about making decisions such as not having a drink due to driving or ordering a taxi. As for the rowing club itself, it has a great reputation and holds a regatta during the summer which attracts rowers from all round.

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.

This tennis club may seem a little out of the way, you will have to traverse a gate, pass a…read moredangerous looking electrical store, and go under a darkened bridge, but on the other side is a local tennis club that boasts three fully-functioning courts with floodlights to boot. There is a sense of community at the club, it being run by locals that put a lot of time into it. It was only a few years ago that a brand new two-story club house was installed with shower and toilet facilities, a kitchen, and a TV should the unpredictable Welsh weather catch you off guard. It is a members-only club, and membership fees are varied depending on your intended involvement with the club, but all details can be found on their website. They offer coaching for kids and adults should you feel the need to brush up on your play, and they encourage participation in competitions with other tennis clubs around the area. It's a place to go and have a casual game with another friend or three, or there are certain evenings when going alone will not mean hitting the ball against a wall for two hours, as certain nights encourage particular groups to arrive. Tuesday night is Ladies' night, Wednesday night is Men's night, and Thursday is mixed. Depending on what you want out of the club you can pick your time of arrival. Though, it is general etiquette that two guys playing on a Tuesday should vacate the court if enough Ladies show up, as it is their priority. Who said chivalry's dead? Once you're a member, the opening hours of this establishment are really up to you as you get your own key to the place, but it tends to be accepted that it closes at around 10pm. An unwritten rule is: 'If there is danger of hitting a low-flying bat with a ball, it might be time to go home.'