[Cardiff Irons]

Hi everyone

Despite rapidly approaching mid-forties, one of the highlights of my week is a spot of 5-a-side footie on a Tuesday night. Me and Gil are also quite keen runners (not particularly competitive, but maybe 2-3 times a week).

Just wondered what the footie/running scene was like over in NZ (in the case of footie I'm probably erring towards the veteran scene).

Or is it a choice of rugby or rugby?;)

Cheers for any info/advice :cheers

PS We're looking at settling around Auckland as things stand, with the Howick area looking fave.

[Aydon]

Ensure you call it Soccer.

Football to them is Rugby Football.

It's gonna be hard for me to accept that, but I'd rather have to say "Soccer" than play rugby ;)

[Cardiff Irons]

Nope, just spent 20 minutes trying to say Socc......., Socc......, Footie. This is going to take some time methinks :D

[jan]

At ANY given point in the day, you will see somebody either running or speed walking.

I am amazed at just how many people do it. They are a varied age range too.
You will see single people , groups or even just hubby and wife.

Going to Mission bay there is a really beautiful coastal drive with a little sea wall, very nice. There are as many walkers, joggers and even folk on roller boots, as there are cars. Its quite nice to see actually. I have had a little giggle, at the new folk who are kitted up to the nines in their safety gear when on roller boots, and only just getting started.:yes

As for soccer, I do see local games going on at the weekend, but thats all I can tell you about it.

[foolsgold99]

for me it'll always be football. People kind of assume that's what you mean when they hear a european accent anyway.

I'd love to find a game of fives one night after work. Anyone else up for a kickabout ?

[wilson182]

Same for Christchurch re running and speed walking. Hagley Park is a fabulous place and you will ALWAYS see people running etc there. They have netball courts too, and a cricket ground. On weekends you can see Mum and Dad running/cycling and the kids tag along on their bikes. We did the same thing this weekend with our youngest daughter, and then ended up in the playground.

[Miffy]

I think the rule of thumb is: If its a sport (outdoor or indoor) some one will be doing it / running a team in your town.

I was totally shocked that netball is huge down here, loads of local teams and the national league is shown on prime time tv infact has higher importance than soccer / football matches.

Although football (soccer) isn't that big here, five-a-side local tournaments are. A note to remember down here (not sure if the same allies else where) the teams are mixed which makes it interesting.

[xanctus]

until now, I am still confused why kiwis say soccer instead of football? :D :D

[adamsat]

Loads of runners, power walkers, cyclists everywhere you look. I haven't found a five-a-side team yet but I've just signed up for the veterens tag rugby league at work (over 30s)

[Kenny]

As we invented both sports (ok we may not be very good at them) I constantly inform the kiwi's that it's football and rugby not soccer and football.

I have even managed to get some kiwi's correct themselves when they talk to me. Now that's progress.

How can you call a sport where you run with the ball in your hands - football.

[Moorf]

I'm constantly gobsmacked by the number of people cycling - great to see though. :nice1

[Rimbo]

Kiwi's take thier sports full on. I'm amazed how good and dedicated they are at EVERYTHING. You will also see leisure walkers at all hours of the day, they get home at 5:10pm and darn on the shorts to go for a quick walk or jog before it gets too dark. Speed walkers mincing everywhere! Which is always good for a laugh. Joggers and runners on the coastal Walkway or through parks. Here in NP there are weekly 5-a-side football matches at the YMCA. Other evenings it's used for Volleyball, Netball, Basketball etc. I know of two lads at work that play "real" soccer (sorry, get used to it, when in Rome!) each saturday for local teams. At my squash club the members play in Interclub leagues which then go on to nationals. they have graded training most nights, everyone is dedicated to thier club and chioce of sport. Quite an eyopener for me really.
You'll have no problem finding people of similar age with similar interestes, not sure about whats in your area but i know here i can pick whichever sport i want.. anyway, must get ready for Golf now. Cherio!

John.