Rugby Union: Experience in New Zealand

Introductory drinks in the city

During the first week of your programme, we’ll arrange introductory drinks in the city for you and your fellow Sport Lived participants. Your mentor will co-ordinate arrangements and show you around local bars and nightspots to get your programme off to a flying start.

Gym membership

Throughout your stay in Christchurch you’ll have membership to a gym located close to your accommodation. You’ll be able to stay in perfect shape, working out alongside your Sport Lived mates.

The Christchurch Gondola

View the wonders of Christchurch from the air on the famous Gondola. It’s a spectacular ride far above the city, as your cabin lifts you gently up to 500m above sea level.

Stunning 360° views extend over Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean stretching across to Kaikoura, the Canterbury Plains and right over to the Southern Alps.

White water rafting adventure

Wet and wild! Fun and exciting white water rafting set in the rugged beauty of the Southern Alps - yet only a day trip from Christchurch. Enjoy this full day of adventure with a team of professional guides. You’ll raft the exhilarating grade 1 - 5 rapids of the Rangitata Gorge.

Wildlife boat tour

Just 15 minutes from Christchurch is a scenic wonderland teeming with history and wildlife. Lyttelton Harbour was fashioned from the molten fires of a long-extinct volcano.

You’ll glide across the waters on a voyage of discovery. Spot the rare Hector's Dolphin, Little Blue Penguins plus fascinating birdlife such as spotted shags, terns and gulls. You’ll also learn about the area's geological and human history - islands, forts, Maori sites and colonial settlements.

Mount Hutt ski experience

Mount Hutt is arguably the best ski field in the Southern Hemisphere, because of its light, dry powder snow. The resort sits high on the eastern rim of New Zealand's awesome Southern Alps with views across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean.

We’ll arrange transportation to and from Christchurch, a full day lift pass plus hire of ski equipment. If you’d like to take a lesson, we can also help you to arrange tuition.

Tickets to a sporting match

Rugby is a national mania in New Zealand, and July and August are key months in the rugby season. We’ll obtain tickets to either a tri-nations or domestic game so you can watch the nation's stars show their skills and feel the buzz of a live game first-hand.

1. What type of visa do I need and what are the restrictions?

You have two choices for the 8 week experience. UK citizens not planning to work in New Zealand do not require a visa to visit. You’ll be granted a permit on arrival in New Zealand which allows you to stay as a tourist for up to 12 months.

If you’d like to work whilst in New Zealand, UK citizens aged 18-30 are normally eligible for a Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. It costs around £60 and can take up to 4 weeks to process, so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.

For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. What’s included in the price of my programme and how much spending money will I require?

The cost of the Sport Lived experience programme includes the following:

• 4-star accommodation including most household bills (telephone and internet charges are NOT covered)
• the cost of trips outlined in the Activities section
• membership of your sport club
• airport pick-up at the start of your programme
• mentor support throughout your stay
• a handbook with useful information

The programme cost does NOT include the following:

• flights, insurance, visas, return airport transfer, local transport or food

Your main costs whilst overseas will be transport, match/competition fees plus food and beer money. A cost of living guide for each Sport Lived destination is provided in the Need to Know section. This should help you plan and budget for your time away.

3. Do I need to be an elite athlete?

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 allows us to match you with a suitable club. If you’re an elite player, we’ll ensure you’re matched with a top class club who know you’re serious about sport!

4. When will I find out full details of my programme e.g. What club I will join and where I will live?

Once you have sent in a booking form, we’ll start working behind the scenes to put everything in place for the perfect programme. 3-4 weeks later you’ll receive a confirmation document outlining details of your club, key dates and an overview of your specific programme details.

Final payment for all programmes is due 12 weeks before to departure which allows us to finalise accommodation arrangements and send you details of your flatmates and your new address in New Zealand.

The pre-departure briefing takes place around 8 weeks before you join us and provides a chance for you and your parents to meet up with the Sport Lived team and fellow participants, and ask any remaining questions you may have.

5. 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.

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

Club structure

Our New Zealand rugby clubs usually have 5-7 senior men’s teams, 2-3 colts teams (U21) and an U19 team. Many clubs also have active women’s sections.

Top teams at each club play in the highest provincial leagues, whereas lower level teams are focused more on having fun.

Matches and training

Most clubs train 2-3 times a week with matches played at the weekends. Clubs have lots of pitches and most teams’ matches will kick off at 3pm. Everyone then gathers in the clubhouse afterwards for post-match drinks.

Most participants will play Colts rugby. The Colts competitions are taken seriously by the clubs and offer an excellent standard of rugby. If you play for your club’s Colts First team, you’ll play with and against New Zealand’s top schoolboy players, some of whom are part of Super 14 academies.

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.

Rugby development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much-improved player.

…and finally

Christchurch is a beautiful city on the edge of some spectacular natural beauty. Why not spend a couple of months exploring NZ through your rugby?

Through your rugby club...

Your Kiwi rugby club will be at the centre of your social life. Prepare for plenty of fun on and off the field! 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.