Anyone that lives in, or has visited, Antigua knows that cricket and football are more than just sports – they are a way of life for many islanders.
But you might not know that there’s some sports that might be considered ‘niche’ that are also extremely popular – some in Antigua, some in the Caribbean and others around the globe.
So, if you are interested in trying something new, why not give one of the sports listed below a go?
Snooker
If you’ve ever enjoyed a game of pool in one of Antigua’s many clubs, how about stepping up in size to snooker?
Played on a surface roughly double the size of a pool table, snooker is a challenging sport to master… but you’ll have plenty of fun trying!
If you prefer to watch sports on TV, be sure to try and tune in to snooker’s triple crown events: the World Championship, UK Championship and The Masters.
The snooker odds for the 2023 majors see former world champion Judd Trump listed as the favorite, with the ‘Juddernaut’ leading the way in the snooker UK Championship betting at +400 ahead of Ronnie O’Sullivan (+500) and Mark Selby (+800).
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>25 RANKING TITLES 🏆<a href=”https://twitter.com/juddtrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@juddtrump</a> beats Ali Carter 10-7 to win the inaugural Wuhan Open!<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WuhanOpen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#WuhanOpen</a> <a href=”https://t.co/nIW4otFM52″>pic.twitter.com/nIW4otFM52</a></p>— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WeAreWST/status/1713560561118580883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
For more information about cue sports in Antigua, check out the Antigua and Barbuda Billiards Sports Association.
Volleyball
Although volleyball is more popular than merely a niche sport, it’s also one that not a huge amount of people from around the world actively play.
There are two types of volleyball – games played on a hard court at a sports club or leisure center, and beach volleyball; a softer landing is guaranteed if you launch yourself into a diving pass!
In Antigua and Barbuda, you will find dedicated volleyball clubs as well as casual games breaking out on the many beaches – after all, all you need is four or more players, a net, and some space in which to work.
Baseball
Although fans from across the globe have their favorite Major League Baseball teams, it would be fair to say that the sport isn’t widely played outside of North America and parts of Asia.
But did you know that Antigua has its own baseball association? There are local clubs you can watch play and perhaps even join too, as well as a thriving ‘little league’ set-up for younger players. The islands also enter a team into the Caribbean Series qualifiers too.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Venezuela is hosting the Caribbean Series this year, and the field belongs in baseball heaven 🔥 <a href=”https://t.co/TCE2fSSHRp”>pic.twitter.com/TCE2fSSHRp</a></p>— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) <a href=”https://twitter.com/JoePompliano/status/1621202182245683205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>February 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
So, if you fancy a change from cricket but still want to let your hand-eye coordination shine, why not give baseball a try?
Handball
Combining elements of basketball, rugby, and football, handball can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
The object of handball is to pass the ball from one end of the pitch (using your hands, rather than feet) before throwing it into the opposition’s goal, making handball an energetic and competitive sport to try.
The Antigua and Barbuda Handball Federation (ABHF) hosts regular games for those interested in playing, officiating, or volunteering.
Bouldering
Imagine rock climbing… just without any safety ropes or harnesses.
Sounds crazy, right? Well, it should be said that bouldering typically involves smaller walls that are closer to the ground, with an emphasis on plotting a route to the top as opposed to sheer physical strength. Maybe this is one of the niche sports to practice under the guidance of a trained professional!
There are so many sports to try in Antigua and Barbuda, from football and cricket to the more under-the-radar options listed in this article. So why not get outside and give them a go?
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