What’s on: Plenty to see and do for sports-mad Geraldton residents this weekend

With the normally sports-mad city of Geraldton unusually lacking in games this weekend, there are still plenty of things to do.

Geraldton’s metro soccer team play at home tomorrow, and surfing, bowls, badminton and social soccer are also on the list.

Ugle Fabrications La Fiamma host BrOzzy SC at the Salvatore Sciuto ground in Wonthella tomorrow at 7pm in a must-win game for the home side, with free entrance for spectators.

Geraldton Bowling Club captain Joe Criddle, a veteran of the game, said the sport was huge in the region and more young people were playing it than ever before.

He said people new to the sport often found it surprisingly challenging, and it was a good chance to feel the burn.

“They’ve got more clubs and more people down there but it’s growing in stature with new competitions and formats,” Criddle said.

“People are surprised how much skill it takes. They all think it’s easy until they get out and have a crack.

“If they want to try the game out, scroungers are happy to take anyone who wants to have a crack at it.

“It’s a good avenue to meet friends and it’s a good social club.”

He said the two main city clubs, Geraldton and Wonthella, had scroungers for anyone willing to pay the small nomination fee for the afternoon, and people should arrive by 1pm to provide their details on the day.

Spectators are also welcome.

The Geraldton Badminton Association has social play on Monday nights, and pennants player Mat Mher, who has a decade of experience in the sport, said anyone who pictured badminton as stringing a net up outside was mistaken.

“It’s one of the fastest-paced racquet sports out there,” Mher said.

He said it catered to all levels and playing styles, with more agile competitors playing a faster game and those with less physical ability concentrating on the mental aspects of outwitting their opponent.

The sport is played indoors so weather and lighting aren’t an issue.

The Sunday soccer group that has been running for around six years play around 4pm each week, rain or shine. A group representative recommended checking Facebook on the day.

The Geraldton Longboard Club rates local breaks highly.

Geraldton Combined Equestrian Club will also run its Showjumping Showcase from today until Sunday.

Netball, competitive soccer, basketball, hockey and the Great Northern Football League all have byes.