Where to Meet People this summer

Looking for love this summer? Playing with balls among groups of sweaty people could be the ideal remedy, experts say.

Relationships psychologist Zoe Hazelwood said research suggested common activities increased the chances of finding love.

Referring to research supporting old wisdom about shared interests, the Queensland University of Technology lecturer said singles should ditch the bar scene in favour of special interest groups this summer. Advertisement: Story continues below

Most Australians still preferred “traditional, face-to-face” means of romantic introduction, Dr Hazelwood said.

And, according to Brisbane City Indoor Sports the chances of success greatly improved if you threw in a bit heart-pumping physical activity.

Brisbane City Indoor Sports said that the number of singles registering for team sports had “gone through the roof” in recent months.

He said more than 100 singles had registered for mixed netball alone in the past month and that summer proved the most popular season for individual sign-ups.

Two directors at the company met their current long-term girlfriends at work and Mr Forrest said 16 babies had been born to couples who met at the centre.

“Everyone's looking to get their body in better condition and I guess they want to get their love life in better condition too,” BCIS said.

“Plus, the whole bar scene has copped a battering in recent years as a place to meet people, so I guess given Australia's sporting culture and the fact that most of our sports are pretty social, the centres are hot for hook-ups.”

It's the value of commonality that drove Speedy Dates founder Marc Schagen to develop his business for singles who found Brisbane's bar scene a frustrating waste of time.

Mr Schagen said that time-poor, partner-particular clients turned to speed dating after attempts at meeting prospective partners elsewhere failed.

The former human resources executive said they recognised their chances of meeting a likely match were improved when selection criteria were in place and a tailor-made “tone” prevailed.

“Summer and the new year is usually a time when people are looking to find someone they can share the next year with,” Mr Schagen said.

“So I've noticed an increase in the number of people interested in speed dating and the feedback has been about finding that like-minded partner.”

“One of the things that we know that contributes to initial attraction is that this person has something in common with you,”.