Joining a Team Sport Again: More Than Just Fitness

By Pratty

1. Lacing Up Again After Years on the Sidelines

It had been a long time since I’d laced the Jordans up.

The last proper game of basketball I played was before my 17 year old was born — back when recovery was a cold beer and a pub meal, not a week of sore knees and early nights.

For years, I told myself I’d get back into it when things settled down. But the truth is, life never really does. There’s always work, kids, money, something.

One day, a mate texted: “We’re short a few for a basketball game tomorrow night. You in?”

My first instinct was to say no — too unfit, too busy, too old. But I said yes anyway. And that one game changed everything.

2. It Was Never Just About the Fitness

Yeah, the first few minutes were rough. The lungs burned, the legs felt heavy, and my timing was off. But once I got into it — the noise, the banter, the feeling of being part of something — I remembered exactly why I used to love it.

It wasn’t about fitness. It was about belonging.

There’s something about a team sport — whether it’s basketball, footy, or even social touch — that fills a gap you didn’t realise was missing. You start to remember what it feels like to show up for other people, not just for yourself.

You cheer each other on, give each other stick, and laugh about the missed shots or dodgy umpiring. It’s those little moments that remind you what connection really feels like.

3. The Locker Room Therapy You Didn’t Know You Needed

After that first game, I sat in the changeroom, sweaty, wrecked, and smiling like an idiot.

The boys were giving each other grief — one bloke rolled his ankle, another missed a sitter from right in front, and everyone had an opinion about it. But underneath the jokes was something deeper.

It was mate therapy.

No one said, “How are you going?” outright, but it was there in the laughs, the shoulder taps, the “you still got it, old fella.” It reminded me that you don’t have to spill your guts to connect — sometimes just being around your people does the work for you.

4. You Don’t Have to Be in Top Shape to Show Up

A lot of blokes hold back because they think they’ve missed their window. They’ll say:

• “I’m not fit enough.”

• “I’ll start training first, then join.”

• “Those days are behind me.”

But no one at local level cares. Honestly, most of us are just there for the run, the laughs, and a reason to get off the couch.

Whether it’s masters footy, a social basketball comp, or even a walk/jog up the beach — the skill level doesn’t matter. The effort does.

You don’t join for the scoreboard. You join for the connection.

5. How Sport Reconnects You to More Than Just Mates

Here’s what surprised me most — getting back into team sport didn’t just reconnect me with my mates. It reconnected me with myself.

It gave me structure. Something to look forward to each week. A reason to put the phone down and move again. And it gave me a sense of pride — not because I was playing well, but because I was showing up.

It also opened the door to new mates — younger blokes, dads, a few fellas who were new in town. Everyone had their own story, but on the field or court, we were all just blokes having a crack.

6. If You’re Thinking About It — Do It

If you’ve been thinking about joining a team again, this is your sign.

Don’t wait until you’ve got your fitness sorted. Don’t wait for life to “slow down.” It won’t. Just show up — boots, runners, old jersey and all.

Because somewhere out there, there’s a team that’s one player short. And maybe, they’re waiting for you.

Next Chapter Mates Real talk. Real mateship. Real life.[Read the full guide: The Ultimate Guide to Reconnecting with Mates After 30]