Waikato: A Sporting Powerhouse

Jamie Neighbourly Lead from Chartwell

The Waikato region is thriving in the sporting area. I will outline some of the significant national and international events that have recently been hosted, or are due to take place in our region. These events bring strong economic benefit to our region, supporting business, innovation and industry.

Hamilton’s FMG Stadium hosted the HSBC New Zealand Sevens and Women’s Fast Four Sevens in January. A sell-out crowd of more than 25,000 packed in for finals day to watch fast-paced rugby from the world’s top teams.

Further matches this year will include All Blacks v Tonga, and a rugby league test between Great Britain’s Lions and Tonga. Our regional rugby and league teams continue to perform well.

Led by Cycling New Zealand, based at the Avantidrome facility, the UCI World Cup Series and Oceania Track Championships were recently hosted, with the latter due to return next year.

The New Zealand Cycle Classic drew professionals from across the world in late January, and the Cambridge Cycling Festival produced an impressive display of cycling, with a diverse range of competitors.

The Vantage Track National Championships, New Zealand’s premier age-group track cycling event, was hosted in February, and will return in 2020.

World-class BMX riders regularly visit our region, for a range of high-quality events.

Hamilton’s Seddon Park hosted five Blackcaps and White Ferns matches over the past season.

Domestically, the Northern Knights and Northern Spirit continue to represent us proudly, with the Knights coming first and second over the past two years.

The New Zealand Rowing Championships, University Rowing Championships and the Maadi Cup were all recently held at Lake Karapiro.

Waka Ama continues to thrive, with the Spring Nationals annually held at Lake Karapiro, attracting crowds of over 10,000.

Our region regularly hosts the Canoe Racing Nationals, along with international events, such as the Asia-Pacific Regatta.

In 2018, our Silver Ferns netball team played the Australian Diamonds at Claudelands. On a national level, we continue to host WBOP Magic in the ANZ Premiership.

In 2015, Hamilton’s hosted eight matches in the Men’s FIFA U-20 Football World Cup.

In 2017, Hamilton Boys’ High School’s 1st XI won the National Secondary Schools’ Competition: the first Waikato team in 30 years to do so.

Three of our local football players recently competed for New Zealand in the Women’s Under 17 World Cup, in Uruguay.

Our Waikato football clubs continue to represent us proudly in nationwide tournaments.

Hamilton recently hosted the Yonex International badminton event, attracting high-quality players from 13 countries.

The St. Peter’s School Golf Academy continues to produce outstanding young players. A number of these recently competed in the New Zealand Golf Open.

The multi-million dollar re-development of Lochiel golf course will increase our region’s ability to attract world-class golfers.

The Colgate games, the North Island’s premier athletics event for children, was held at Porritt Stadium in January.

The Porritt Classic continues to be hosted annually, regularly attracting Olympic-quality athletes.

National equestrian events in dressage, show jumping and horse racing are regularly held here, along with the popular Equidays event in October.

In March, the New Zealand Senior Lacrosse Nationals were held in Cambridge. The Waikato U15 women’s side won the national title in 2017.

Centered on our world-class track at Hampton Downs, motorsport regularly attracts top drivers and large crowds. A key event on the calendar this year is the Dodson Motorsport GTR Festival in June.

Drag racing competitions and events, such as the Frankton Thunder Show regularly attract drivers from across the country.

Kart sport continues to grow, with Hamilton’s Porter Group Park hosting several top-tier racing meets, including the 2019 National Sprint Championships.

In January, the New Zealand U18 Girls Softball Championships were held at Resthills Park, with our Waikato team missing out on victory by one run.

In March, the National Hockey Masters Tournament was held in Hamilton, and in September the Aon Kate Trolove Cup for Secondary School boys will be hosted here.

Our success in the sporting area has been a collaborative effort; my sincere thanks to all who have contributed, and continue to support.