- Living in New Zealand all season long
- Improving your game in a kiwi club
- Exploring the wonders of New Zealand
- Boosting your CV with a part-time job
Sport Lived
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Football: Play the season in New Zealand
Duration: 25 weeks
Overview
Experience the buzz of football New Zealand style. You’ll join a Kiwi club, hand picked to suit your ability, and spend the season enjoying some fierce football and laid back fun. Get ready for loads of adventures with a group of new Sport Lived friends, plus your Kiwi team mates.
Recommended for:
At a glance:
- Hand picked Kiwi football club
- Regular matches, training & social events
- Shared accommodation
- 24/7 mentor support throughout your stay
Sporting adventures
Our Play the Season programme allows you to spend 6 months living, working and playing football in New Zealand. With so much time you’ll become fully integrated into overseas life, and explore the natural beauty and wonders of New Zealand.
You have the chance to live in an amazing city where our centrally located accommodation puts you at the heart of the action.
FAQs
1. What type of visa do I need?
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa
If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme you will need to obtain a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.
Visitor’s permit
If you don’t plan to find paid employment in New Zealand and have a British passport you do not need to apply for a tourist visa as you’ll be eligible for a visitor’s permit which covers you for up to six months. The visitor's permit is granted on arrival in New Zealand.
For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.
2. Do I need to be an elite player?
Absolutely not! We cater for players of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.
3. How can I find out more general information?
Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.
We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.
Working overseas
You’ll have plenty of spare time between training and competing if you’d like to get a job. As well as enhancing your CV and boosting your bank balance, working overseas will help you meet new people and provide more structure to your time away.
Top tips for getting work:
- Plan the type of work you'd like to obtain
- Try to gain relevant work experience
- Prepare a CV and have two references
- Be proactive & persistent in job hunting
Employment options:
- Café/bar work: sociable environment
- Office work: good rates of pay
- Coaching: fulfilling and well paid
- Work experience: boost your CV
Working in New Zealand
You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.
In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in New Zealand but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!
Playing football in New Zealand
We work with a wide range of football clubs in New Zealand. They all offer a warm welcome and fantastic facilities, so whatever your standard you’ll fit in perfectly!
Club structure
Sport Lived has affiliations with clubs that play at a variety of levels in New Zealand. At the top amateur level, clubs play in football competitions just below the NZ Football Championship. The standard of these competitions is high, comparable with non league football in the UK.
Most clubs have 3-5 teams, made up of senior and U20 teams, and a number of clubs also have mid-week and social sides.
Matches and training
You’ll train 2-3 times a week with matches played at the weekends and occasionally mid-week.
Off the pitch
With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and matches, plus social events throughout the season. Many clubs also arrange pre-season tours, a great chance to get to know your teammates whilst exploring a new part of New Zealand.
Football development
Our clubs are selected for quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return a much improved player.
…and finally
New Zealand’s a beautiful country, famous for its sport, so what are you waiting for?
Social life
Through your football club...
Your Kiwi football club will be at the centre of your social life. Prepare for plenty of fun on and off the pitch! We try to ensure all clubs offer a vibrant social scene with regular events such as club tours, post match drinks, fancy dress parties and pub crawls.
With Sport Lived…
You’ll live alongside other Sport Lived participants who are playing and coaching a wide variety of sports. This provides a ready made group of friends for you to get together with and explore life in New Zealand.
Your programme will begin with introductory drinks during the first week, co-ordinated by your mentor who will also organise monthly social events. These might include a day out at a seasonal sporting event, a traditional Kiwi dinner, pub golf, etc.
Your pad
- STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
- PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION
STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
Choose our Standard Accommodation in New Zealand and you will live right in the centre of Christchurch at one of the city's best hostels. Your pad is close to public transport which makes it easy to get to your sports clubs for training and matches. It's location also gives you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in and around Catherdral Square.
At a glance:
- Accommodation in hostels & lodges
- 2-6 dormitory style shared rooms
- City centre location
- Communal lounge and kitchen
Your place in Christchurch...
You'll share a dorm room with other Sport Lived participants. You'll enjoy good facilities including web access, comfortable communal areas and fully equipped kitchens. By living in a hostel you'll also get to meet travellers from around the world.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.
PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION
Choose our Premium Accommodation in New Zealand and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your club will be easily accessible by public transport and with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops close by there are plenty of places explore.
At a glance:
- 4-star fully furnished apartments
- Located close to transport and nightlife
- Shared with Sport Lived participants
- Relax! Most bills are included
Home from home....
Apartments are shared with other Sport Lived participants and include a 24 hour reception plus many mod-cons. Apartments are fully furnished including a tv, linen, kitchen appliances, washing machines etc. They are also serviced weekly so you can spend your time having fun.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.
A week in the life...
...of Richard Moyes who played football in Australia for a season. Richard lived in 4 star apartments 20 minutes walk from the Opera House and played for one of the top football clubs in Sydney.
Monday
Hit the gym this morning for a session focused on strength training. Grab some lunch and a coffee with a mate at a café down the road from our apartment. Spend the afternoon relaxing before evening training.
Tuesday
Early shift at work (a local café) from 7.30am-1.30pm. Then I hit the city centre shops for some new jeans. Evening football training focused on skill and fitness work – tough session! Sports massage after training and spaghetti bolognaise for dinner to top up my carb intake!
Wednesday
Another early shift at the café. Hit the gym in the afternoon before catching the bus to watch Sydney FC train at Sydney Football Stadium. Takeaway dinner on the way home - not so great for the body! Sport Lived movie night - we watched the new Transformers film, loved it!
Thursday
Yet another early shift at work. In the afternoon we have a fitness session followed by recovery in the pool. Another training session in the evening focused on skills and tactics. Head out for dinner and a few drinks at Darling Harbour with a couple of boys from the club.
Friday
Sport Lived crew 10 pin bowling get-together. 4 strikes and a score of 145, not bad! Afternoon spent sending emails back to the UK. Watch Sydney FC in an A-League Match in the evening and Sydney won for once!
Saturday
Getting prepared for the game with a 20 minute walk and stretching session listening to ipod tunes. Afternoon match is a 2-1 victory, sealed in the 82nd minute. There’s an after match function and night on the tiles with the lads in town.
Sunday
Trip up to Central Coast on the train for a day out at the beach with the Sport Lived crew. Mid morning start certainly wasn’t easy, but once we got to the beach it was worth it!
New Zealand
Home of the famous Haka, icy glaciers, stunning fjords and of course bungee! New Zealand is the ultimate place to combine sport and adventure. Whichever programme you choose, memories of your Sport Lived experience in Kiwi-land will last forever.
New Zealand highlights:
- Try adventure sports in Queenstown
- Climb the ancient Franz Josef glacier
- Tour the stunning Hawkes Bay vineyards
- Check out Abel Tasman's golden beaches
- Head to Kaikoura for whale watching
Choose your destination city...
Our programmes run in stunning Christchurch located in New Zealand’s south island. Click on Christchurch to learn more about our spectacular Kiwi destination.
Sport Lived in Christchurch
Here’s your chance to meet Sarah, a Sport Lived mentor in Christchurch and local resident with a passion for her local city. See the South Island’s major city through the eyes of an enthusiastic local.
The weather in Christchurch today is...
Your mentor recommends:
- Ride the Gondola for spectacular city views
- Explore the city on Christchurch's trams
- Watch a Canterbury Crusaders match
- Punting through the city on the Avon river
Positioned on the East coast of the South Island, Christchurch has all you would want in a city, plus more! We are the largest city on the South Island but the centre is compact and has so many parks and gardens that it is easy to pretend you are in the countryside. Besides the green space, there are beaches; a city centre packed with pubs and restaurants and several museums. All the ingredients for a great stay.
If adventure and an adrenalin rush is your thing then you won’t be disappointed - we have awesome surfing beaches, river rapids, bush walks, paragliding and some of the best ski fields in the southern hemisphere less than one hour from the city centre - something you definitely wouldn't find in the big smoke up north!
The city centre has an amazing vibe and atmosphere, without having the feel of a "big city". With an awesome range of clubs and bars there is definitely something to satisfy everyone’s partying tastes. You’ll also find that the Christchurch people are an awesome bunch who are more than happy to stop and have a chat.
As for our sporting prowess, Christchurch continually proves that it is the sporting capital of the nation: hockey, cricket, softball, netball, basketball, and need I mention the mighty Crusaders? So whatever takes your fancy, Christchurch is the city that has it all! So what are you waiting for?
OUR 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.
CHECK OUT OUR TOP TIPS
Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.
OUR 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.
CHECK OUT OUR TOP TIPS
Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.
OUR 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.
CHECK OUT OUR TOP TIPS
Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.
OUR 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.
CHECK OUT OUR TOP TIPS
Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.
OUR 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.
CHECK OUT OUR TOP TIPS
Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.
A PICTURE SAYS A 1000 WORDS
See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.
OUR BOOKING PROCESS
Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.
FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS
Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.
A PICTURE SAYS A 1000 WORDS
See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.
OUR BOOKING PROCESS
Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.
FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS
Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.
A PICTURE SAYS A 1000 WORDS
See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.
OUR BOOKING PROCESS
Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.
FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS
Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.
A PICTURE SAYS A 1000 WORDS
See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.
OUR BOOKING PROCESS
Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.
FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS
Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.
