Finding the right sport for your child can feel overwhelming when there are so many options. This guide covers kids sport across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley — from first-time intro programs through to junior competitions for teenagers.
Whether your child is keen to kick a ball, shoot a hoop, bat a ball or try something completely different, there’s a local club ready to welcome them.
AFL
AFL Hunter Central Coast
Website: AFL Hunter Central Coast
NAB AFL Auskick is the entry point for boys and girls aged 5–12, with modified rules and a focus on fun over competition. It runs at local clubs across the region — search the AFL website to find your nearest centre.
From there, Junior Football (ages 7–12) and Youth Football (ages 13–18) offer graded competitions at community clubs. Both boys and girls are catered for across separate Hunter and Central Coast competitions.
Athletics
Little Athletics NSW
Website: Little Athletics NSW
Little Athletics runs September through March and accepts children aged 5–17. Some centres also offer Tiny Tots for children as young as 3. With nearly 200 centres across NSW, there’s likely one close to you. Parents and grandparents are welcome to get involved as volunteers too.
Badminton
Hunter Badminton
Website: Hunter Badminton
Hunter Badminton runs Junior Activity Sessions for kids aged 8–16 who are new to the sport. Sessions cover basic skills in a fun, low-pressure environment. Junior training and development programs are also available for those ready to progress.
Baseball
Newcastle Baseball Association
Website: Newcastle Baseball Association
Newcastle Baseball runs junior competitions for boys and girls aged 4–16, with age-appropriate formats at every level: T-Ball (Under 8s), Zooka (Under 10s), Little League (Under 13s), Junior League (Under 15s) and Senior League (Under 17s). The season runs April through September. Junior development and representative programs are also on offer.
Basketball
Aussie Hoops
Website: Aussie Hoops
Basketball Australia’s official program for 5–10 year olds runs at different locations in the region.
Maitland Basketball Association
Website:Maitland Basketball Association
Maitland offers Miniball for Kindergarten through Year 6, with lowered hoops and 2 x 20 minute halves each week. Aussie Hoops (ages 5–10) and junior competition up to Under 22s are also available.
Newcastle Basketball
Website: Newcastle Basketball
Newcastle Basketball runs Mini Hoops for 3–5 year olds and Aussie Hoops for 5–10 year olds at Newcastle Basketball Stadium. From there, kids can move into Under 8s and Under 10s competitions and junior teams up to Under 17s. Summer and winter comps are available, as are school holiday camps. Serves the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens areas.
BMX
Lake Macquarie BMX Club
Website: Lake Macquarie BMX Club
Based at Argenton, Lake Macquarie BMX Club caters for kids interested in BMX racing. Contact the club directly for details on training and racing days.
Maitland BMX Riders
Website: Maitland BMX Riders
Maitland BMX Club trains and races at their Tenambit location. A good option for families in the Maitland area looking to get into the sport. Read more about the venue here.
Cricket
Play Cricket
Website: Play Cricket
Cricket Australia’s Woolworths Cricket Blast covers ages 5–10, with Junior Blasters (5–7) and Master Blasters (7–10) formats, plus school holiday programs. From age 9, kids can move into Junior Cricket (spring or summer seasons) or Indoor Cricket, which runs year-round. Many clubs offer girls, boys and mixed team options.
Cycling
Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club
Website: Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club
The Hunter District Cycling Club runs junior racing from Under 9s through to Under 19s in road and track events. Road racing is held at the Hunter Economic Zone at Leggetts Dr, Pelaw Main across summer and winter seasons. The club has qualified coaches at all levels.
Field Hockey
Maitland Hockey Inc
Website: Maitland Hockey Inc
Maitland Hockey runs competitions for Under 6s through to Under 13s. Free Come and Try Days are held regularly — a good starting point if your child hasn’t played before.
Nelson Bay Hockey Club
Website: Nelson Bay Hockey Club
A welcoming family club based at Salamander Sports Complex in Port Stephens. Open to all ages and abilities, with both playing and non-playing roles available. Come and Try Days are also offered.
Newcastle Hockey Association
Website: Newcastle Hockey Association
The governing body for field hockey in the Newcastle region. MINKEY is the introductory program for children under 6 and older beginners, covering basic skills and motor development. Junior competitions include Under 8 “Joeys”, Under 11 “Kangas” and full junior grades.
Figure Skating
Hunter Ice Skating Club
Website: Hunter Ice Skating Club
Based at Warners Bay, the Hunter Ice Skating Club is the place to start for kids interested in figure skating. Visit their website for current programs and pathways.
Futsal
Northern NSW Futsal
Website: Northern NSW Futsal
Futsal is a modified indoor soccer game without the use of walls. Northern NSW Futsal services numerous clubs and schools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. They offer competitions and training of Futsal (five a side soccer) to junior and senior boys and girls, from ages 5 to adults.
Ice Hockey
Hunter Ice Skating Stadium
Website: Hunter Ice Skating Stadium
Hunter Ice Skating Stadium at Warners Bay offers Learn to Skate during school terms — a solid foundation for figure skating or ice hockey. The Learn to Play program introduces beginners to skating, stick handling and puck control. Players who complete the program can join local competition teams ranging from Under 11s through to Under 18s. Home of the Newcastle Northstars.
Netball
PLAYnetball
Website: PLAYnetball
Suncorp NetSetGO is the national starter program for boys and girls aged 5–10, covering the basics in a fun, social environment. For ages 11–17, Junior Comp club netball offers a full seasonal competition. Find your nearest centre or club through the PLAYnetball website.
Junior Comp club netball is for kids aged 11 – 17 who have mastered the basics and want to take the sport a bit more seriously. They’ll play across a full season, improve their skills and fitness, and make friends for life. There’s lots of local netball clubs to choose from. Find where to play Junior Comp here.
Oztag
Newcastle Oztag
Website: Newcastle Oztag
Newcastle Oztag run an after school competition played at Smith Park in Broadmeadow and Waratah Park. Teams range from Under 8s to Under 16s. They also have Tiny Taggers for kids aged 4-6 and run Skills and Drills Clinics for kids aged 7-12.
Oztag Maitland
Website: Oztag Maitland
Maitland Oztag runs junior and senior competitions at McKeachie’s Sportsground in Aberglasslyn. Their Junior Division is for players 6-16 years.
Port Stephens Oztag
Website: Port Stephens Oztag
Port Stephens Oztag offer competition in both the Raymond Terrace and Salamander Bay area and have the following junior divisions: 6-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-14 years and 15-17 years. They offer boys, girls and mixed teams.
Rugby League
Hunter Junior Rugby League Association
Website: HJRLA
The HJRLA organises junior rugby league competition across Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens. Age groups run from Under 6s upward.
Rugby Union
Hunter Junior Rugby
Website: Hunter Junior Rugby
Hunter Junior Rugby aim to promote, teach and administer the sport of Rugby in the Hunter Region. They offer Under 7’s through to Under 18’s for boys and girls throughout their 12 clubs and 9 rep teams.
Sailing
Belmont 16ft Sailing Club
Website: Belmont 16ft Sailing Club
Tackers is a games-based introductory sailing program for ages 7–12. No prior experience or club membership needed — all equipment including boats is provided. Delivered by Australian Sailing qualified instructors. Club competition is available from age 6.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
Website: Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
NCYC offers Tackers programs during school holidays (4–5 days) and over school terms (8–10 weeks). For kids aged 11–17, there’s OutThere Sailing — both a term-based after-school program and school holiday experiences on keelboats. Youth Leagues, a Youth Development Squad and Youth Advanced Squad are also available.
Soccer
Soccer is a popular sport for kids to play in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region. There are lots of options and teams to choose from. There is also local club competition, many of whom offer Miniroos. Miniroos is the perfect way for boys and girls aged 4-11 to get involved in the sport of soccer (football).
Hunter Valley Football
Website: Hunter Valley Football
Hunter Valley Football organise Soccer in the Hunter Valley region.
Macquarie Football
Website: Macquarie Football
Macquarie Football organise Soccer in the Lake Macquarie region.
Newcastle Football
Website: Newcastle Football
Newcastle Football organise Soccer in the Newcastle region.
Softball
Newcastle & District Softball Association
Website: Newcastle & District Softball Association
The Newcastle & District Softball Association includes 5 clubs in the Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie areas. They offer learn-to-play programs for children aged 4 and above, junior softball teams for ages U12 to U19, and senior open teams. Our clubs participate in the Newcastle and District Softball League and play in various softball formats.
Surf Lifesaving
Hunter Surf Lifesaving
Website: Hunter Surf Lifesaving
Nippers is the junior arm of surf lifesaving, for children aged 5 through to Under 14. It’s a great way for kids to enjoy the beach safely while building water skills and confidence. Under 14s earn their Surf Rescue Certificate and can progress to senior patrols. Hunter Surf Lifesaving covers 13 clubs from Tea Gardens to Catherine Hill Bay. For more information, read our article about Nippers.
Volleyball
Hunter Volleyball
Website: Hunter Volleyball
If you’re looking for a new sport, or an additional sport which can give year-round participation options, then consider volleyball. Hunter Volleyball offers a modified program for kids aged 11 – 15 as well as a U18 Junior Social Competition.
Other Sports
A few more options worth knowing about:
Boxing – PCYC Newcastle offers junior boxing sessions for kids 7 – 12.
Fencing — PCYC Newcastle runs fencing classes for children aged 10 and up. A 5-week starter course is required before joining regular classes.
Table Tennis — PCYC Newcastle offers competitive table tennis for kids aged 13+.
Multi-sport (early childhood) — Silly Billy Sports runs high-energy multi-sport programs for children aged 2.5 – 6 in the Newcastle area, focused on confidence and physical development.
If we’ve missed a sport or a club or made an error, please email us with the information.