New Zealand is a world-class sporting nation, and Kiwis excel in numerous sports. The Wellington region’s topography, climate and sports facilities mean that it is an easy place to have fun, keep fit and play sport. An added bonus is that many of the region’s sportsgrounds are in picturesque settings.
According to Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), nine out of 10 Wellington children are involved in a sport or leisure activity, and 40 percent of Wellington adults belong to a sports or recreation club.
Sports Clubs
There are dozens of sports clubs from which to choose. All of the main sports are well served – including basketball, netball, tennis, soccer, rugby, athletics, cricket, softball, hockey, golf and swimming. Golf facilities are particularly impressive, and the region boasts 29 golf clubs. Green fees for a round of golf at a public course costs as little as $10 a round.
Both the Wellington Rugby Football Club and Wellington Netball Club are based at Hataitai Park, on the hill that straddles Newtown and Hataitai. Rugby and netball are very strong in the city. There are 16,000 registered netball players in the Wellington region.
Newtown Park, the city’s oldest sportsfield, is the home of the Wellington Athletics Club.
Water Sports
Water sports are popular. The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club on Oriental Bay has two purpose-built yachts for sailing training. Cruising and racing options, dinghy training and coastguard studies are also available. The Worser Bay Boating Club near Seatoun offers small boat sailing for all ages and abilities.
Kayaking, diving, surfing and windsurfing are easily found, with clubs and commercial operations catering to interested newcomers and old hands alike. A brand new dive attraction is the decommissioned Royal New Zealand Navy frigate Wellington, which was sunk for dive purposes in late 2005 off the South Coast.
Related Links
- Berhampore Golf Course
- Community Directory - Sports and Exercise
- Feeling Great website
- Find an Organisation - Sport Wellington website
- Recreation - Upper Hutt City Council website
- Sports and Recreation Club Directory - Hutt City Council website
- Sports Organisation Search - Porirua City Council website
