One of the first questions expat parents ask when moving to Phuket is: "Will my kids be able to continue playing sport?" The answer is a genuine and emphatic yes — Phuket's large international expat community has built a sports infrastructure for children that rivals many mid-sized cities. Football academies, junior tennis programs, swimming squads, rugby youth teams, Muay Thai kids' classes — the island has more than most people expect.
This guide covers the main sports available for children in Phuket, where to find them by area, realistic costs, and honest information about quality. I've spoken with parents across the Rawai, Bang Tao, and Chalong communities to compile this.
Kids Sports in Phuket: Quick Overview
- Best multi-sport hub: Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort, Thalang (tennis, swimming, cycling, triathlon, football)
- International school sports access: BISP (Koh Kaew), UWC (Phuket Town area), HeadStart (Cherng Talay)
- Football academies: BISP Football Academy, independent expat-led programs in Rawai and Bang Tao
- Rugby: Phuket Rugby Club (Koh Kaew area) — junior programs from mini-rugby upward
- Muay Thai for kids: Tiger Muay Thai (Chalong), Rawai Muay Thai — ages 6+
- Monthly costs: 2,000–8,000 THB depending on sport and provider
Football (Soccer) for Kids in Phuket
Football is by far the most popular team sport for expat children in Phuket, reflecting the nationalities on the island (British, Scandinavian, Australian, European). Several structured programs exist beyond school PE lessons.
BISP Football Academy
The British International School Phuket in Koh Kaew runs a dedicated football academy for children and teenagers. Training is structured, UEFA-qualified coaching is involved, and the school facilities (proper football pitch, changing rooms, floodlights) are proper. Primarily for BISP students, but external enrollment is sometimes possible — contact the school directly. For BISP families, football academy is typically included in the after-school activities program.
Independent Football Academies
Several expat coaches run independent football academies at various locations around the island. These include programs in Rawai (using pitches in Nai Harn and Chalong), in Bang Tao/Laguna (using resort pitches), and at Thanyapura. These academies typically run Saturday morning sessions (cooler in the dry season) and sometimes weekday afternoon sessions. Monthly fees range from 2,000–4,500 THB for weekly sessions.
Phuket FC (the local professional club) has a youth development program based at their ground near Phuket Town. This is primarily Thai-language but welcomes foreign players and offers real Thai football culture.
Tennis for Kids in Phuket
Tennis is the second most popular expat sport for children after football, and Phuket's climate (warm and dry November–April) is excellent for year-round play. Heat management is the main consideration — early morning sessions (7:00–9:00) are far more practical than afternoon training in summer months.
Thanyapura Junior Tennis
Thanyapura in Thalang has the best junior tennis infrastructure on the island: multiple courts, qualified coaches (ITF-certified), and both group and private lesson options. The junior program runs weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings for different age groups. Monthly group coaching: approximately 4,000–7,000 THB. Private lessons: 700–1,200 THB per hour.
Kata Tennis Club
Kata Tennis Club (near Kata Beach/Karon) is a long-established community tennis club that has run junior programs for expat families for many years. More relaxed in atmosphere than Thanyapura, it's a good choice for Kata/Karon families. Group coaching from approximately 500–800 THB per session, with monthly packages available.
Swimming
Swimming clubs for children overlap significantly with Thanyapura's structured programs. The Thanyapura Aquatic Club runs junior squads from beginner to competitive level in their 50-metre Olympic pool. Monthly squad membership approximately 3,500–6,000 THB. For children newer to swimming, learn-to-swim programs at hotel and resort pools throughout the island run 500–800 THB per 45-minute lesson.
| Sport | Where | Ages | Monthly Cost (THB) | Session Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football Academy | Koh Kaew (BISP), Rawai, Bang Tao | 5–17 | 2,000–4,500 | Sat mornings + weekday |
| Tennis (group coaching) | Thanyapura (Thalang), Kata Tennis Club | 5–18 | 4,000–7,000 | Weekday aft + Sat |
| Swimming squad | Thanyapura (Thalang) | 5–18 | 3,500–6,000 | Weekday aft + Sat |
| Rugby junior | Phuket Rugby Club (Koh Kaew) | 5–17 | 1,500–3,500 | Weekend mornings |
| Muay Thai kids | Tiger Muay Thai (Chalong), Rawai MT | 6–16 | 2,500–5,000 | Weekday mornings/aft |
| Junior golf | Red Mountain, Mission Hills, Blue Canyon | 7–17 | 3,000–8,000 | Weekend mornings |
| Gymnastics | Various (search expat groups) | 3–14 | 2,000–4,000 | Weekday aft |
| Cycling / triathlon junior | Thanyapura (Thalang) | 8–17 | 3,000–5,500 | Weekends |
Rugby for Kids in Phuket
Phuket Rugby Club runs one of the most active junior rugby programs in Southeast Asia outside Singapore and Hong Kong. Mini-rugby starts from age 5–6, with training moving into proper contact rugby from around age 12 following World Rugby guidelines. Training is at their ground near Koh Kaew and is a genuinely social community experience — expat rugby families tend to be a tight-knit group. The club participates in regional competitions including tournaments in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Monthly fees approximately 1,500–3,500 THB depending on age group.
Muay Thai for Kids
Phuket is Thailand's Muay Thai heartland and children's classes are a genuine (and genuinely good) option for expat families — particularly for building confidence, discipline, and fitness. Tiger Muay Thai in Chalong has a structured kids' program running parallel to adult training with completely separate sessions. The children's environment is safe, supervised, and welcoming to beginners. Classes run 60–90 minutes. Rawai Muay Thai near the Rawai seafood pier runs similar programs popular with the southern Phuket expat community.
A typical kids' Muay Thai session includes warm-up running, basic bag work, pad training with a trainer, and stretching. Contact sparring is completely optional and not pushed on young beginners. Monthly membership (3 sessions/week): approximately 2,500–5,000 THB.
Junior Golf in Phuket
Phuket has three world-class golf courses — Red Mountain Golf Club (Kathu), Mission Hills Phuket (Nakkerd Hills), and Blue Canyon Country Club (near the airport) — all of which offer junior golf programs. The international school community generates a steady flow of children into junior golf; BISP has a golf program as part of its sport offering. Most courses offer junior rates (typically 50–70% of adult green fees) and dedicated coaching sessions on weekend mornings. Monthly coaching programs run 3,000–8,000 THB depending on session frequency and coach qualifications.
Gymnastics & Dance for Kids
Gymnastics programs for children exist in Phuket but are less formally organised than ball sports. Several private gymnastics coaches operate in the Chalong and Bang Tao areas, running classes in rented studio or sports facility spaces. The best way to find current programs is through the Phuket Expat families Facebook groups — ask specifically for gymnastics recommendations filtered by area.
Dance studios for children (ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, Thai classical dance) are better organised, with dedicated studios in Phuket Town, Chalong, and several along the Bang Tao strip. Ballet classes for children typically cost 400–700 THB per 45-minute class.
Protect Your Active Family in Phuket
Sports injuries happen — especially with active kids. Comprehensive expat health insurance covers treatment at Bangkok Hospital Phuket for everything from broken arms to sports physio. Get a free quote from our trusted health insurance partners.
Get a Free Family Health Insurance Quote →🏝️ Moving to Phuket with sporty kids? We can advise on the best areas, schools, and sports programs for your family.
Book a Free Family Consultation →Frequently Asked Questions
What sports clubs are available for kids in Phuket?
Phuket has active kids' clubs for football, tennis, swimming, rugby, golf, gymnastics, Muay Thai, basketball, and cycling. Thanyapura Sports Resort and BISP have the widest range of junior programs under one roof.
How much do kids' sports clubs cost in Phuket?
Football academies typically cost 2,000–4,500 THB per month. Tennis coaching runs 4,000–7,000 THB per month for group programs (or 700–1,200 THB per hour privately). Swimming squads at Thanyapura cost 3,500–6,000 THB per month. Muay Thai runs 2,500–5,000 THB per month.
Is there a football academy for kids in Phuket?
Yes — BISP Football Academy in Koh Kaew runs structured junior programs. There are also independent academies in Rawai, Bang Tao, and Chalong run by expat coaches. Sessions typically run Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons.
Where can my child play rugby in Phuket?
Phuket Rugby Club runs junior programs from mini-rugby (age 5+) through to youth contact rugby (from ~12). Training is near Koh Kaew. The club participates in regional competitions and has a strong expat family community.
Are there kids tennis lessons in Phuket?
Yes — Thanyapura Sports Resort in Thalang has the best junior tennis program. Kata Tennis Club and independent coaches around the island also offer lessons. Budget 4,000–7,000 THB per month for group programs or 700–1,200 THB for private lessons.
Can kids join Muay Thai training in Phuket?
Yes — Tiger Muay Thai (Chalong) and Rawai Muay Thai both run structured children's classes from age 6. Sessions are completely separate from adult training and beginner-friendly. Monthly membership (3 sessions/week) runs 2,500–5,000 THB.