AIBU to think there would be some good sport to watch?

[RainbowRabbit33]

Last summer, we took DD8 to watch (for us) random sports at the commonwealth games and we all really enjoyed it. Ross Wilson, Table Tennis England, was kind enough to let her wear his medal. Superstar! We also very much enjoyed the netball.

Neither DH nor I are particularly sporty and know frankly nothing. We think though that it must be possible to watch good sport outside of organised championships. So dear Mumsnet, what can we watch?

We aren't bothered about rugby or football, we need things that are easy to understand (ball in net=good, person ran fast=good. Basically... Not cricket!!). We live on the M5, so Bristol, Birmingham, Gloucester are easy. Swindon, Bath, Oxford etc. are OK.

I like para sport in particular, but doesn't need to be. The competitors will be better than us whatever their standard so doesn't need to be elite. I quite like sitting down and being indoors though 😂

Very grateful for any thoughts, I'm slightly taking the piss with my 'AIBU', but it's in good spirits ☺️ AIBU to think we can support some people who have worked really hard to get to where they are?

Thank you!

PS needs to be at the weekend because we work M-F. DH has just reminded me that we enjoyed tennis. Baseball was too long (in the US) but we enjoyed ice hockey. That doesn't seem very summery though 😂

I went to the indoor athletics at Birmingham, which was great! They had some para events on the programme too.

Well there's obviously a lot of football you could go to in your area

https://visitbirmingham.com/whats-on/sport

Although watching Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town or Oxford United isnt, at least currently, elite sport

Handball, Stoke Mandeville is the National Handball academy so near Oxford. It is fast, exciting and easy to understand, different levels from youth to senior and normally free to watch. One of the biggest emerging sports (massive on the contintent)

Have you tried basketball ? Fast and pretty simple to understand scoring and rules.

I'd say football fits, but you seem to have ruled that out for some reason.

I know you said no to cricket, but if you go to The Hundred - it is all well explained, fast, and most of the games are really exciting to watch.

Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling in Gloucestershire this year is Bank Holiday Monday 29th May.

Thanks all!

I ruled out football because I know I don't like our local lower league team. I attended quite a lot of matches in a volunteer capacity and the atmosphere wasn't great. As a volunteer, I was required to wear a hi vis, which apparently entitled people to spit at me because I was a "fucking pig." I am clearly not a Police Officer, not that it would be acceptable behaviour if I were.

The team my husband supported as a child played a Premier League team in a competition. A female fan of the opposing team (we were wearing nothing linking us to the match and weren't talking about it) kicked me with her sharpened toenail because "gingers are fucking minging."

I know not all fans, grounds and teams are like that but I haven't been left with the best impression. I can't pretend I love the behaviour of Premier League players either. So I'd rather not have it at the top of my list to try.

If we end up with football or rugby it'll be Bristol City and Bath. My family would be deeply offended if I went anywhere else!

Handball is a brilliant idea, thank you! I'll go and check it out. I'll also have a look at basketball. We watched a match in the US and I prefer netball, but I think DD might enjoy it. She plays cricket at school so The 100 might also work. Funnily enough my husband suggested indoor athletics too - will have a look at the Birmingham link.

Thanks all, very much appreciated. I'm excited about our sporty summer ☺️