- 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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Hockey: Play the season in New Zealand
Duration: 25 weeks
Overview
Experience the buzz of hockey New Zealand style. You’ll join a Kiwi club, hand picked to suit your ability, and spend the season enjoying some fierce hockey 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 hockey club
- Regular matches, training & social events
- Shared accommodation
- 24/7 mentor support throughout your stay
Sporting adventures
The Season allows you to spend 6 months living, working and playing hockey in New Zealand. With so much time you can 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.
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!
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.
Playing hockey in New Zealand
We work with a wide range of hockey clubs in New Zealand; they all offer a warm welcome and fantastic hockey facilities, so whatever your standard you’ll fit in perfectly!
Club structure
New Zealand hockey clubs tend to have lots of teams (on average 9-12 teams for men and women) plus active junior sections. Top teams at each club play in the highest provincial leagues, whereas lower level teams are focused more on having fun.
Matches & training
You’ll train 2-3 times per week with matches played at the weekends.
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 team-mates whilst exploring a new part of New Zealand.
Hockey development
Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much-improved player.
...and finally
New Zealand’s such a beautiful country; get out there and play some hockey!
Social life
Through your hockey club...
Your Kiwi hockey club will be at the centre of your social life. Prepare for plenty of fun on and off the turf! 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 with whom you’ll 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 Gavin Dowland who played hockey in Christchurch for a season.
Monday
Crawled out of bed at the inhumane hour of 6am and went to Queenstown. The day consisted of a bungee jump (134m one, I might add) and Luging!
Tuesday
Clambered out of bed in Queenstown and got ready for a hard day on the slopes. All in all a good day’s skiing, although I did show some serious inadequacies!
Wednesday
Travelled back from Queenstown, on returning to the flat we managed a vague attempt at a clean up, before hitting Pak ‘n’ Save for a re-supply of meat and pasta.
Thursday
A trip to the stops was made in preparation for the night’s events. Then training time, two sessions and a 5K run… Then drinks at the flat before hitting the town!
Friday
Morning was pretty much a write-off and after a second tidying session of the flat it was off to the Holy Grail Sports Bar for an evening shift behind the bar.
Saturday
Woken by rugby lads shouting as they discover that they have failed to wash their kit again, I followed them and watched the other SportLived lads play their weekly fixture!
Sunday
A very early start for work, then 2 hockey games. We won 7 – 0, but also lost 6 – 4 ,somehow I didn’t score! More training needed, bring on next week!
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.
