I jumped on the trampoline in the backyard, rode my bike around the streets with other kids from the neighbourhood and ran around at lunchtime at school.

But for the most part of my primary school days I had my head in a book and was never involved in any particular sport per se until I was a teenager.

I started with hockey, which I wasn't very good at, but it helped me meet new people when my family moved towns.

I gave netball a go but it wasn’t for me.

Then, by chance, I gave soccer a try when I was 16.

I saw an advertisement asking for players in a local newsletter and thought I would give it ago.

I loved it from the get-go, and 22 years later I still love it.

I have made so many close friends from playing. It is a social, mental and physical outlet for me, and I often think how lucky it was that I saw that advertisement.

I had tried several sports before that and although enjoyed being part of a team did not feel totally comfortable playing them.

I have never been in rep teams or elite programs and do not have great hand-eye coordination or control if I am trying to play racquet sports.

I know some people who don't play sport because they have tried a couple and for whatever reason don't feel comfortable trying others.

And I know others who have not grown up around sport and found it hard later in life to find a team or sport to join.

So, when I heard about SportsFest being held at Speers Point Park this Sunday, I thought, ‘What a great idea’.

It us essentially a huge come and try sport day and is the initiative of the Hunter Academy of Sport.

The Academy is generally associated with high-performance programs but chief executive officer Brett O'Farrell told me they wanted to help foster a love of sport in the community through SportsFest.

“A lot of people think you either play football or netball but there’s a sport for everyone,” he said.

“Sport is for everyone, that is what this is all about.

“Lake Macquarie City Council really want to provide that lifestyle and have been really supportive of running this festival.”

They have stayed away from mainstream sports and instead people can try the likes of lacrosse, grid iron, bull-riding, rock clibming, surfing and tae kwon do.

There will also be free fitness and well-being classes running throughout the day and a 5km and 10km fun run which is raising funds for Cancer Council NSW (Hunter).

We are unfortunately living in a day and age where obesity in adults and children has become an epidemic and I think opportunities like SportsFest are really important to our community.

We are lucky in our region as we do have a lot of sporting events to watch or participate in, but many come at a cost, which is what makes this even better.

There will also be food stalls and live entertainment throughout the day.

So get along and give something new a go. You might even find something you or the kids love it.