Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
How to Join a Social Basketball Team in Australia (Even if You’re a Beginner)
June 28, 2026 · 7 min read
Thinking about playing basketball again but don’t have a team or much experience? You’re not alone. Basketball is now Australia’s second-biggest team sport, and thousands of adults are joining social competitions every year. This guide explains exactly how to get started, from finding beginner-friendly associations and come-and-try sessions to understanding PlayHQ registration, costs, and what your first game is really like. Whether you’re 22 or 62, there’s probably a local competition waiting for you.
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Older Adults, Friends and Mental Health: What New Australian Research Reveals
A six-year UNSW study of older Australian twins suggests strong social ties with friends, neighbours and community groups may help protect mental health in later life. Here’s what the research found — and how to apply it.
Rachel Entrekin: First Woman to Win Cocodona 250
At 8.09am on a Saturday in Flagstaff, Arizona, Rachel Entrekin finished a 253-mile race ahead of every other person on the course. The 34-year-old physical therapist became the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 outright, clocking 56 hours, 9 minutes and 48 seconds, more than two hours faster than...
What New Research Says About Exercise After Prostate Cancer
A new 2026 review found men who stayed physically active after a prostate cancer diagnosis had a much lower risk of dying early. The benefit showed up at modest levels of movement, roughly a brisk half-hour walk most days. Here is what the research found, how much activity it points...
Can Strength Training Help Women Over 60 Sleep Better?
Poor sleep can make everything harder, from mood and memory to finding the energy to stay active. A 2025 randomised controlled trial of 160 older women found that 12 weeks of supervised resistance training improved sleep quality, anxiety, mood, cognitive function, and physical capacity. The useful part is that the...
What If More Australians Got Active? The Health Gains Are Bigger Than You Think
A 2026 Australian simulation study asked a simple question: what would happen if more of us moved more? The answer was measured in healthier years, fewer early deaths and billions of dollars in extra working-age income. But the most useful finding is not that everyone needs to become extremely active....
Do Dogs Really Improve Your Health? Australian Stories and Research Suggest They Can
Dog owners often describe their pets as the reason they walk more, meet neighbours and maintain daily routines during difficult periods. Large international studies involving millions of people have linked dog ownership with lower mortality rates, better cardiovascular outcomes and higher physical activity levels. Australian stories reveal a similar pattern,...
Sports in Pakenham: A Town Where Old and New Codes Sit Side by Side
Pakenham's sporting story sits at an unusual intersection: a football club that goes back to 1892, a netball association that's been here for decades, and a new wave of social sports like pickleball and weeknight basketball filling the gaps in between. Here's how it all fits together, and where to...
100 parkruns at 81: How North Wollongong Helped Maggie Hamilton Get Started
When Maggie Hamilton completed her 100th parkrun at North Wollongong in early 2026, she was 81 years old and only a few years removed from her first event. Her story captures what makes parkrun work for so many Australians who never considered themselves runners. The free weekly 5km has become...
Sydney Marathon 2026 Sold Out? Best Alternatives for First-Time Runners
Missed out on the Sydney Marathon 2026 ballot? You are not alone. Since joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Sydney Marathon demand has surged, leaving many first-time runners confused about the ballot system and what to do next. This beginner-friendly guide explains how the Sydney Marathon draw works, which events...
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