A multi-sports tour to New Zealand
Time to read
With destinations across the globe, Edwin Doran sports tours can curate an itinerary and select a location that’s matched to your team. Even when across the globe, our team excel at executing smooth trips with varied itineraries and excursions, and the opportunity to compete against teams on the other side of the world. New Zealand is a much-loved destination within the sporting world, particularly when it comes to rugby. With rugby being woven into the nation’s culture, New Zealand is a perfect destination for schools looking for a long haul sports tour. Edwin Doran has the ability to produce an itinerary with multiple sports, so why not include several sports in your tour and extend the number of your squad?
Why New Zealand Was the Perfect Choice for a Multi-Sport Tour
When Bradford Grammar School began planning a tour for its senior hockey, rugby and netball squads, the ambition went beyond simply finding good fixtures. Jack Moran, the school’s Director of Sport, wanted to bring the school’s major winter sports teams together around a single, unique destination – one that could deliver quality experiences across all three sports, along with the freedom for pupils to explore. New Zealand stood out immediately.
“New Zealand was selected for the reason of offering quality experiences in all of the sports on tour, as well as the relative safety and freedom of the country.”
With fewer UK schools touring New Zealand compared with more popular long-haul destinations, Bradford Grammar found host schools eager to welcome a team from the other side of the world – and appropriate opposition much easier to secure than on more heavily-toured routes.
Why a multi-sports tour?
Running hockey, rugby and netball on the same tour was a deliberate choice. “We wanted a co-educational experience and equity of opportunity for all the touring sports,” says Jack. Over more than two weeks together, old rivalries between sports gave way to something closer.
“Melting historical angst and envy between sports was something we wanted to achieve, and the tour did this very effectively.”
Opposition in New Zealand
On the pitch, the standard of opposition at host schools including Saint Kentigern College and Tauhara College pushed every squad. Different styles of play, unfamiliar officiating and new venues all became part of the learning. Before a ball was even played, the powhiri welcomes set the tone for the whole tour.
“Saint Kentigern set the tone for our hosting for the rest of the tour brilliantly, with the warmth and sincerity of their reception of us.”
Specialist sessions added another dimension to the sport on offer. The hockey squad trained at the New Zealand National Hockey Centre alongside a raw enthusiasm for the game and a volume of high-quality players. The rugby group prepared for their fixture against Saint Kentigern with a session at Ponsonby, one of New Zealand rugby’s most storied grassroots clubs. And the netball squad worked with international player Maia Wilson. Jack points to the results:
“I believe the tour developed our players’ problem solving, resilience and determination, through the varying levels of challenge provided. All squads have taken some excellent preparation from the trip ahead of their new seasons in September.”
Excursions and Scenery
New Zealand’s landscape became as memorable as the sport itself. A boat tour around Auckland harbour blew away the cobwebs of the long flight over and set a lasting tone for the trip. Skyline Rotorua’s luge gave players a welcome release between fixtures. And the coach journeys between training sessions and fixtures (guided expertly by local guide Philip Wilson) carried the group through Tongariro National Park from Taupo to Ohakune, taking in the full spectrum of the North Island’s landscape.
Facing Ruapehu College with the mountain as a backdrop stood out even among a tour full of highlights – a moment Jack believes will stay with the players for life.
Would They Recommend It?
Asked to sum up the tour for another Director of Sport weighing up a long-haul trip, Jack doesn’t hesitate:
“There were memories and lessons for life for all, and I would recommend it unreservedly.”
His advice for schools still on the fence is equally direct:
“There is no getting away from the travel. If you can accept that, it’s totally worth it. It exceeded all of my hopes for the success of the tour.”
Considering a Long-Haul Tour?
For Directors of Sport exploring destinations beyond the familiar, Bradford Grammar School’s tour shows what’s possible when the right destination, fixtures and support come together, across not one sport, but three.
If you’re weighing up a long-haul tour for your school, our team would be glad to talk through what’s possible – and help you plan a trip your pupils will remember for life.
Want to know more about long-haul trips?
Learn about South Africa!
Frequently asked questions
How do you organise fixtures and logistics across three sports on one tour?
Every squad’s fixtures, training sessions and travel are planned as one coordinated itinerary rather than three separate trips.
How much travel is really involved, and is a long-haul tour manageable for a school group?
Coach journeys double as sightseeing (the route through Tongariro National Park was a tour highlight), and an experienced local guide is on hand throughout, so travel time becomes part of the experience rather than dead time.
What support is in place for staff before and during the tour?
From matching fixtures to the group’s ability through to on-the-ground guiding and support while overseas, Edwin Doran takes care of the logistics so staff can focus on their squads.
Learn more about creating a New Zealand tour
