When you start a new life in Cyprus you won’t want to give up are your hobbies, pastimes and active social life. Join us as we scour the island to unearth a club or organisation that will enhance your life there.
Moving to Cyprus won’t just broaden your mind; it will also extend your social circle. Before getting to a point where you feel completely settled in, however, it’s only natural to be apprehensive about making new friends and involving yourself in island life. So what better way to put yourself out there, have some fun and meet likeminded people than by joining a club or organisation that caters for an existing interest, or something you’ve been meaning to give a go for ages?
Cyprus is home to a wide variety of groups run by expats for expats, covering everything from good old Morris dancing to rugby.
Cyprus is home to a wide variety of groups run by expats for expats, covering everything from good old Morris dancing to rugby. Here’s a selection of the most popular options on offer, to help you make the most of your new life under the Cypriot sun.
Get inspired by APOEL FC and lace up your boots when you arrive in Cyprus (Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com)
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Cricket
Finally you’re going to live in a country where the weather’s perfectly suited to cricket. Forget the so-called English summer and wave goodbye to waterlogged outfields, this sunny island is a dream when it comes to a long afternoon of leather on willow. Visit the Cyprus Cricket Association website for your one stop shop around all things to do with the sport here. You’ll find details of the island’s 15 cricket clubs, and the various competitions across different formats of the game, from six-a-side to 80-over matches.
If you are ready to buy in Cyprus, you’ll have a few financial matters to sort out. For advice on currency, download the Property Buyer’s Guide to Currency.
Football
Like most countries in Europe, football is a national obsession in Cyprus. The island has its very own professional league, with several of the top teams competing in the UEFA Champions’ League and Europa League. In fact APOEL FC, based in the capital Nicosia, made it as far as the quarter finals of Europe’s premier club competition in 2012, before losing 8-2 on aggregate to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
If you’re not quite at that level but you want to do more than just watch from the stands with your new friends, there are plenty of amateur options akin to Sunday league back home. Scour the expat forums or visit the KOPA website. This league has strong links to the expat community.
Sailing
If bobbing around in a small boat on the choppy English Channel or North Sea never really appealed, wait until you get to Cyprus. What better place to indulge your passion for tacking and jibbing, or give it a go for the first time, than on this sun-drenched island with its crystal clear Mediterranean waters?
Sailing’s popularity is perfectly demonstrated by a recent marina-building boom across the island. If you want to do more than watch the boats float by as you sip a glass of wine at one of these classy locations, get in contact with the Paphos International Sailing Club. They aim to promote all aspects of sailing and boating in Cyprus by enabling likeminded people to meet, share their knowledge, talk about their common interests and most importantly, have some fun!
Cyprus is home to a six club ruby league, with some sides also running mini, junior and vets teams.
Rugby Union
Rugby is known for being one of the most sociable sports out there, with activities in the clubhouse bar holding as much importance as events on the pitch. Its popularity has skyrocketed since it was introduced to the island by the British military back in the 1980s. Today Cyprus is home to a six club league, with some sides also running mini, junior and vets teams.
Two of these clubs are the Paphos Tigers RFC and the Limassol Crusaders RFC. New members are always welcome, whether you want to lace up your boots and get stuck in or just pop down to watch.
Cyprus even has its own national team. Despite only playing their first match in 2007, they soon became a formidable force in the lower echelons of world rugby. Their rapid development saw them go on a world record run of 24 wins in a row between 2008 and 2014, eclipsing the tier one record of 18 matches set by the mighty England and New Zealand teams. For a full overview of rugby on the island visit the Cyprus Rugby Federation website.
Morris dancing
Colourful waistcoats, flowers on your hat, bells on your knees and the waving of large handkerchiefs ensure this most English of folk dances leaves the locals scratching their head. If you like nothing better than a spot of Cotswold Morris, Rapper or Molly Dancing then you’ll be pleased to know Cyprus Morris was born back in 2008. This group of over 20 Morris dancing enthusiasts has become a familiar sight at fetes, festivals and other events throughout the island.
Sailing is a popular pastime in Cyprus
Gardening
If you’re a member of the green-finger brigade, you’re probably looking forward to the different challenges that come with gardening in Cyprus, as you swap the British drizzle for the Cypriot sun. Joining a gardening club is a great way to meet fellow Alan Titchmarsh lovers and pick up some top tips for overcoming the horticultural hurdles you will face in your new home. The Garden Club of Cyprus was set up by expat Patricia Ann Jordan for expats, to offer invaluable advice around tending to your plants, trees and shrubs. Your fellow members can even help you explore Cyprus by recommending great gardens to visit across the island.
The Rotary Club
Rotary International strives to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards across work sectors, and advance goodwill and peace around the world. Among its 33,000 clubs worldwide are the 19 found in Cyprus. If you want to make a difference in your local community, check out Rotary Cyprus for details of how you can join the organisation’s 1.2 million global membership.
If you want to make a difference in your local community, check out Rotary Cyprus.
Women in Cyprus
Women making the move to Cyprus can also demonstrate their charitable nature and meet people from all over the world while they’re at it by joining Cyprus Women of Today or Cyprus International Women of Today. Both organisations aim to promote community service, personal growth and friendship.
UKCA Social Club
Whether you’re planning on moving to Cyprus permanently or buying a holiday home here, the UKCA Social Club could be your ticket to an active and fulfilling island life. Formed with the needs of the full and part-time expat population in mind, it organises events, hosts activity groups and provides a friendly place to relax, meet old friends and make new ones. The club even has its own bar and restaurants at its headquarters in Paphos, where all these social activities are made possible.
Limassol Bridge Club
Forget playing solitaire all on your own at home. If you’re a bridge player you won’t need me to tell you it’s played by four players in two competing partnerships. But where are you going to find other people with a penchant for trumping, doubling and redoubling in Cyprus? Limassol Bridge Club play twice a week across 8 to 13 tables at the Limassol Sporting Club and organise several annual events, including the Limassol Cup every May.
If this has inspired you to buy in Cyprus in the next few months, call our friendly Cyprus Resource Team on 020 7898 0549 or email [email protected]. If you are ready to buy we can put you in touch with a currency specialist, lawyer and estate agent.
Limassol Toastmasters Club
What better way to overcome any fears you have about meeting people than by getting a little help with your communication skills? If you get a bit nervous in social situations, face your fears head-on by joining the Limassol Toastmasters Club. The Toastmasters program offers many opportunities to practice one-on-one communication, or hone your conversation skills by speaking with members and guests at club meetings. You’ll be the life and soul of the party in no time with a little help from this internationally renowned organisation.
