Home
>
Sports
>
Netball
>
Play the season in new zealand

Netball: Play the season in New Zealand

Duration: 25 weeks

Book now

Request a brochure

Download a summary

Overview

Playing netball in New Zealand

Working overseas

Social life

Your pad

FAQs

Prices & dates

Overview

Experience the buzz of netball New Zealand style. You’ll join a Kiwi club, hand picked to suit your ability, and spend the season enjoying some fierce netball 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:

Sampling a taste of Kiwi lifestyle
Improving your game in an overseas club
Exploring the wonders of New Zealand
Boosting your CV with a part time job

At a glance:

Hand picked Kiwi netball 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 six months living, working and playing netball in New Zealand. With so much time you’ll become fully integrated into overseas life and be able to explore the natural beauty and wonders of New Zealand.

You have the chance to live in an amazing city in our shared accommodation at the heart of all 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 netball in New Zealand

We work with a wide range of good netball clubs in New Zealand. They all offer a warm welcome and superb facilities, so whatever your standard you’ll fit in perfectly!

Club structure

Sport Lived has links with some of the best netball clubs in New Zealand. Top teams at each club compete in the premier provincial netball leagues with lower level teams more focused on having fun.

Most clubs have around 8-10 teams so they can accommodate players of all abilities. Whether you’re serious about improving your netball skills or just want to have some fun – we’ll match you with your perfect club!

Matches and training

Players usually have one match and one training session a week.

Off the court

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.

Netball 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 a beautiful country, famous for its sport, so what are you waiting for?

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.

Kitchen

Dormitory

Lounge

Recreation room

Dormitory

Kitchen

Lounge

Recreation room

Lounge

Kitchen

Dormitory

Recreation room

Shower

Dormitory

Lounge

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.

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment lounge

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment lounge

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment lounge

Prices and dates...

Location
Duration
From
To
Price

Christchurch
25 weeks
05/03/2012
26/08/2012
Standard
£ 4095

Christchurch
25 weeks
05/03/2012
26/08/2012
Premium
£ 5795

Christchurch
25 weeks
04/03/2013
25/08/2013
Standard
£ 4795

Christchurch
25 weeks
04/03/2013
25/08/2013
Premium
£ 6095

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

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

Sport Lived soical night out, Christchurch

Summer beach, Christchurch

Enjoying a drink, Christchurch

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?

Book now

Request a brochure

Download a summary