In Denmark you will find that many children and adults engage in organised sports activities. In fact, almost two thirds of all children and young people engaged in sports club-activities in their spare time. Joining a sports club is not only about getting exercise, it is also a great place to meet people and to build a social network.

In 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark published a factsheet bout body culture and sports, where you can read more about sports and clubs in Denmark.

Many sports clubs have a website, where you can find information about the club and their activities. Unfortunately most of this information is only available in Danish, but if you find a sports club you are interested in joining contact the club via email or give them a call and ask how you can become a member. Most clubs are interested in having new members and will be happy to answer your questions.

A membership often entails paying a monthly, quarterly or annual membership fee. The size of the fee depends on the club and what activities it offers.

Whereas some sports club have different sports activities, other clubs offer activities within one sport only. Depending on your level within the sport you practise, there may be different clubs that are more suited for your need and interest than others. For example, some football clubs organise activities for people who simply want to play football for fun, while other clubs require you to have a certain level of skill if you are to join.

Joining a sports club is not only a good way to get some exercise; in Denmark it is also a cultural activity. At the official Danish website, Denmark.dk, you can read more about sports as a Danish cultural activity.

In Denmark, sport is regarded as an activity that brings people together and helps to engender a more integrated society. Because of this view, there is an official political objective that sports should be for everyone.

In Denmark sports are organised in three main bodies. Read more about how Danish sports are organised, at denmark.dk – the official website of Denmark.

The most popular sporting activity in Denmark is football. However, gymnastics, badminton, swimming and handball also enjoy great popularity. In most municipalities you will find clubs where you can practice these sport activities.

The span of different sports clubs offering different sports activities in a municipality varies in accordance with the number of people living there. If you live in a one a city in Denmark you will find a wide selection of sports clubs where you can practice several different types of sports.

In most Danish cities, you will find different fitness centres, where you can work out on your own or participate in classes. Some centres will also look after your child while you work out. For information about the fitness centres, their activities, services and prices visit their websites or contact the centre you are interest in joining.

You will find a variety of sporting news articles on www.denmark.dk.

The Sports Confederation of Denmark, www.dif.dk.

The Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations, www.dgi.dk.

The Danish Company Sports Federation, www.firmaidraet.dk (Information only available in Danish).

Ministry of Culture, www.kum.dk.