Did You Know? Moving to Wasaga Beach, Collingwood or the Blue Mountains Doesn't Mean Giving Up Competitive Sports

One of the biggest concerns we hear from families who are moving to Wasaga Beach, Collingwood or the Blue Mountains is whether their children will still have access to competitive sports. As parents of four children who have grown up playing rep sports in this area, we can confidently say the opportunities here are outstanding.
Our family has been involved in rep hockey, rep basketball and rep soccer for years. Between practices, games, tournaments and travelling throughout Ontario, we've experienced first-hand what this area has to offer. We know the organizations, the coaches, the facilities and the commitment these programs have to helping young athletes grow.

Basketball players have access to the Collingwood Trailblazers, one of Ontario's well-respected Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) programs, with several teams competing at the highest levels in the province. Three of the Trailblazer teams currently play in the OBLX division, which is the top tier in Ontario. All three of my girls play for the Trailblazers and love every second of it, the coaching, the friendships, and the level of competition have been incredible for them. It's another example of just how much high-level sport is happening right here at home.

Volleyball athletes have the opportunity to play with the Altitude Volleyball Club, a highly respected Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) program that continues to grow and develop athletes of all ages. We are proud supporters of the Altitude Volleyball Club and have sponsored several of their teams over the years.
For rugby players, the Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club offers excellent development opportunities and continues to build a strong reputation throughout the region for both make and female teams.
Hockey continues to thrive here. Collingwood has become a AA hockey centre, giving local players strong development opportunities close to home. Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey now plays out of a brand new double pad rink and has had great success too, my son's U18 rep team won Red Hats All Ontarios this year, which was an incredible accomplishment. Girls' hockey has grown tremendously with the Collingwood Lightning, one of the fastest-growing girls' hockey organizations in the area. We've proudly sponsored both the Collingwood Lightning and local rep teams in both Collingwood and Wasaga Beach because supporting youth sports has always been important to our family. Families looking for AAA opportunities also have excellent options nearby, including Grey Highlands and the Orillia Predators.
Soccer players can join the Collingwood United Soccer Club, which offers programs from recreational to highly competitive levels. Teams compete in leagues including the York Simcoe Soccer League (YSSL) and the Huronia District Soccer League (HDSL). Several teams have even travelled internationally, including my daughter team who recently went Italy to compete in tournaments while experiencing another country's soccer culture.
One thing that surprises many families is the level of competition. While you're enjoying the lifestyle of living in Southern Georgian Bay, your children are still competing against many of the top teams in Ontario. Weekend tournaments and league play often include travel to Toronto and surrounding GTA communities, giving athletes excellent competition while still allowing your family to enjoy everything that comes with living in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood and the Blue Mountains.
The Collingwood Clippers Swim Club is a huge part of the local scene, with programs that take swimmers from their very first strokes all the way up to provincial and national level meets. They train out of the Centennial Aquatic Centre and have built a strong reputation for developing well-rounded swimmers, with a coaching staff that really invests in the kids. It's a great option for families looking for a year-round sport with a strong team environment.
Football is another one that's grown a lot around here. The Collingwood Colts run both tackle and flag football programs for youth, so local kids can play organized football without having to drive out of town every week. Every year the numbers keep climbing, and it's become a really tight-knit community of families cheering each other on from the sidelines. Great coaching, lots of skill development, and a fun atmosphere for kids just starting out or those who want to take it more seriously.
And of course, living this close to Blue Mountain means skiing and snowboarding are a way of life. Our kids basically grow up on the hills. The Blue Mountain Ski Club, Osler Bluff, Craigleith and Alpine all offer race and freestyle programs, and it's honestly incredible how many local kids end up competing at the provincial and national level. Even for the kids who aren't racing, being out on the hill every weekend all winter is such a huge part of growing up here. It's one of the things that makes this area really special for active families.
Both towns have solid minor baseball programs, the Wasaga Beach Minor Baseball Association and the Collingwood Minor Baseball Association, running through the spring and summer. Programs start at t-ball and go up through rep teams for the older kids. The diamonds are busy most nights of the week, and it's a fun, easy way for kids to stay active and make friends over the summer.
The area also offers competitive lacrosse, figure skating, dance, gymnastics, golf, rowing, sailing, martial arts and many other organized sports.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the area, and a brand new indoor pickleball facility is currently under construction, and many outdoor courts to play on, creating even more opportunities for players of all ages.
It's not just the kids getting in on the action, my husband and I both play in the adult soccer leagues in Wasaga Beach and Collingwood, and they're honestly more competitive than you'd expect. Great group of local players, a fun social scene after the games, and a good way to stay active year-round. If you're moving to the area and looking to meet people, these leagues are a great way in.
Health and fitness are a huge part of life here. You'll find running clubs, cycling groups, hiking clubs, fitness studios, personal trainers, multiple CrossFit gyms, yoga studios and recreation centres throughout Southern Georgian Bay.
One facility that many local families know well is All Around Athletics in Collingwood. They offer athlete development programs, strength and conditioning, sports camps, recreational leagues, speed and agility training and sport-specific coaching for athletes of all ages. Whether your child wants to improve for the next season or simply stay active, it's an incredible resource for local families.
We've lived this too, so we get that choosing a home is about more than the house. Some of our kids' best friendships have come through sports, we're at the rinks and fields with the same families every weekend and most evenings. That's a big part of what makes this area feel like home.
Whether you're looking to buy in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood or the Blue Mountains, we can help you find the right home and the right community for your family.
Sincerely,Your local sports MOM