Christchurch: It’s not all Churches and Gardens you know…

Christchurch is the base for the Canterbury Crusaders who have been the most successful Super Rugby Team since the Super 12 started back in 1996. Since Super Rugby began the Crusaders have won an impressive eight titles out of the 14 played in total. An important part of the Crusaders success is the support of their fans who consistently packed out their home venue, AMI Stadium (previously Jade stadium at Lancaster Park), throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The Crusaders make up an integral part of the city of Christchurch and to witness one of their games live is a must. Sport Lived organised for our participants in Christchurch to get along to see the match versus the Bulls in April. Here we see some of the crew enjoying themselves at the game.

Christchurch is also the gateway into the Southern Alps which stick out like a beacon across the landscape right down the middle of the south island from Kaikoura to Te Anau. This part of New Zealand is great during winter when snow covers the mountains and the ski fields open. Some of our participants have got into the spirit of being away from home by spending time in the south island tourist capital of Queenstown. Here they have made the most of the adventure activities such as skiing, bungee jumping and even sky diving!

 

Dan Pickersgill sky diving high above Queenstown

Dan Pickersgill: Preparation before a bungee jump in Queenstown

Alex Hudson – Rugby in Christchurch

Alex Hudson, having finished his degree at university, grabbed the opportunity to play rugby in New Zealand with Sport Lived.  Alex was based in Christchurch New Zealand’s second largest city and the largest city on the South Island.  Explaining his motivation for choosing Christchurch Alex said:  “I specifically wanted to go to Christchurch because of it’s location.  So many of my friends told me about how beautiful the South Island was.  Christchurch therefore seemed a perfect base from which to explore the South Island and visit places such as Queenstown.  It also had an amazing reputation for rugby with the success of the Canterbury Crusaders so it was quite an easy choice!”   He’s sure he made the right decision too: “I really enjoyed living in Christchurch – it had everything I needed.  I particularly enjoyed living in the city and it was so convenient being able to walk from our apartments to the club in 20 minutes”.

Whilst in Christchurch Alex played for a club who have produced 23 All Blacks including Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger where he played for their second grade senior men’s team.  Alex was pleased with the way his game developed during his programme:  “As a back, the amount of work we did on creating quick ball in the contact area helped improve this area of my game. It had previously been overlooked since it was deemed more of an area that only forwards had to concentrate on.
Commenting generally on his experience Alex said: “It was hard to say what was the best part of my trip…the rugby itself was awesome and the number of people I met was amazing, the house parties and nights out with the guys were brilliant, and then the various trips I went on left multiple memories. The welcoming nature of both the club and the country as a whole would make me highly likely to return to New Zealand again in the future.“

Skiing in Queenstown

His advice for future Sport Lived participants? “Be as open as possible and be accepting of new ways of thinking, both about the sport itself and the country you are in. The more effort you put into the club you are at the more accepting they will be of you and the more you will enjoy the whole experience.  I would also encourage anyone who goes to New Zealand to do some sightseeing because the scenery is spectacular”

Ben Thoy – Rugby in Christchurch

Ben Thoy is currently playing rugby in Christchurch.  We caught up with Ben to get his feedback on his programme and his time playing rugby in New Zealand.  Ben is 19 and from Leeds.  Before undertaking his Sport Lived programme he’d been the First XV Captain of his school and played Yorkshire U18s.

What did you do yesterday?  Talk us through a typical day on your Sport Lived programme.

I was in Queenstown over the weekend for a 21st so I woke up on Sunday morning and drove round the city with some friends to see all the different sights ending in a bungy jump at Kawarau before flying back up to Christchurch! It was the best weekend I’ve had since I’ve been here and I would urge anyone to go to Queenstown if you’re here.
 

Ben Thoy with Jack Butler in Queenstown

What has been different about your experience than you originally expected?

 

I have made some amazing friends that I will undoubtedly have for life which I expected but just not to this extent. Also, despite coming out here completely focused on rugby, it has made me want to travel as much as possible and see as much of the world as I can!
 
How have you found New Zealand?  If you had to sum up the country in 3 words, what would they be?

Dramatic: there is such a vast amount of beautiful places to see that will change your life and provide memories forever.

Relaxed: the general culture of the country is really chilled out and the people are always easy-going.

Amazing: it is a fantastic country with so much to do and see that you feel as if you are permanently on holiday and don’t want to go home.
 
How does the approach to sport in New Zealand differ from that in the UK?  What have you learnt from a sporting perspective?

Kiwi’s are a proud bunch and really get behind their teams. But again, everything is done with an air of relaxation whilst still maintaining a serious attitude. They don’t take defeat well and always maintain they are the world’s best, which they occasionally are so it’s still fun to tell that they’re going to get whipped by England.  From a sporting perspective I have learnt that rugby is not the most important thing in life and that you often play better if you stop worrying as much and sometimes not even think about the game at all. The best thing to do is just relax, have confidence in your ability and put 100% effort in when you are training or competing.
 

Jack, Richard and Ben watching the Crusaders

How have you developed as a person during your experience/programme?

When you are away from home for such a long time the highs are really high and the lows really low, so the whole experience is very character building and I think I will go home a much stronger person. Also you learn a greater deal of independence and how to live off peanut-butter on toast for days on end.
 
In brief….
 
Sporting Highlight:
Speaking to Dan Carter for the first time and also my first try for my club.
 
Non Sporting Highlight:
Being in Queenstown surrounded by mountains and feeling completely overwhelmed.
Also a number of nights out with the lads!
 
Worse bit:
Missing family and friends back home.
 
Why should someone do a Sport Lived programme?

It will prove to be totally different from what you expect but you will find yourself loving every minute of it and taking home memories you will never forget. You will also meet some friends for life who otherwise you would never have known.

Describe your city:

A mixture of English and New Zealand culture and sights with loads to do and see. And an awesome night out!
 
Your Mentor:
Sweet as.
 
New word/phrase picked up:
Using ‘Bro’ far too much
‘Sweet as’
Putting ‘ay?’ at the end of every sentence.
 

Ben with the ladies!

Your lasting Sport Lived memory:

I hope I can remember it all! The main thing would be having a great time with mates and getting to experience life and travelling in an amazing country!