Wellington Sports Community: Netball, Teams and Where to Play

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits at the south-western tip of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. For a compact city it supports a busy sporting calendar, from professional netball and rugby to community clubs you can join as a complete beginner.

This guide focuses on netball first, because it is one of the most widely played sports in the region, then looks at the wider Wellington sports community: the main teams, where games are played, and how to get started yourself.

Netball in Wellington and the Central Pulse

Netball is one of the most popular team sports for women and girls in New Zealand, and Wellington is no exception. The game is played by two teams of seven, who move the ball by passing (you cannot run with it) to score through a ring at either end. If you are new to the sport, our guide to the seven netball positions explains how goal shooter, goal attack, wing attack, centre, wing defence, goal defence and goal keeper fit together, while the full rules of netball cover footwork, the three-second rule and more.

Wellington’s elite team is the Central Pulse, who play in the ANZ Premiership, New Zealand’s top domestic league. The Pulse represent the Netball Central zone, which covers Wellington, the Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay regions. They have been one of the league’s strongest sides in recent years, winning the ANZ Premiership title in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

The Pulse’s main home is the TSB Arena on the Wellington waterfront, an indoor arena in the heart of the city. Because the team represents a wider region, some home games are also staged at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North. In the 2026 season the Pulse finished fourth on the regular-season ladder, with the Northern Mystics going on to win the title.

The Pulse have long been a pathway to the national team, and the club has featured many well-known internationals over the years, including goal shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Watching a live ANZ Premiership game is one of the easiest ways to see top-level netball in the capital, and tickets for home matches at the TSB Arena are generally affordable compared with larger stadium sports.

At national level, New Zealand is represented by the Silver Ferns squad, who compete at the Netball World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the Taini Jamison Trophy, the annual Constellation Cup against Australia and the Fast5 Netball World Series. You can keep up with results and squad changes through the latest New Zealand netball news.

Where to play netball in Wellington

Community netball in the city is run through the Netball Wellington Centre, which organises competitions, coaching and umpiring for players of all ages and abilities. Grades typically run from junior futureFERNS programmes for primary-age children through to secondary school, social and senior adult competitions.

Most of this netball is played at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre (formerly the ASB Sports Centre) in Kilbirnie. It is a large indoor venue with 12 courts arranged across two halls, and it also hosts basketball, volleyball and badminton. Playing indoors means the netball season runs reliably through Wellington’s windy winter months.

For younger players, the entry point is usually the nationwide futureFERNS programme, which adapts the game for different ages with smaller teams, lower hoops and simplified rules so that skills build gradually. From there, players can progress through school and club competitions toward senior and representative netball.

If you want to join a team, the simplest route is to contact the Netball Wellington Centre or a local club before the winter season begins, usually registering in the first few months of the year. Beginners are welcome: many clubs field social and mixed sides, and new players are often matched into a grade suited to their experience. You generally need little more than suitable court shoes and a willingness to learn; clubs supply bibs and balls, and coaches help with the basics. If you are setting up a side from scratch, it helps to understand the official court dimensions and markings before you book a venue.

The wider Wellington sports community

Netball is only one part of a varied sporting city. Wellington has professional and community teams across several codes, and a culture that turns out strongly for live sport.

Rugby and the Wellington Lions

Rugby union is widely regarded as New Zealand’s national sport and is deeply woven into local life. The national men’s team, the All Blacks, is one of the most successful sides in the game’s history: they have won the Rugby World Cup three times (1987, 2011 and 2015), win roughly three-quarters of their test matches, and have held the Bledisloe Cup against Australia continuously since 2003.

The All Blacks play around the country and stage selected test matches in Wellington. At club and franchise level the capital is home to the Hurricanes, who compete in the international Super Rugby Pacific competition and play many of their home games at Wellington Regional Stadium. The city’s own provincial side, the Wellington Lions, competes in the national provincial championship and also plays at the stadium, while the women’s provincial game is contested in the Farah Palmer Cup. On match days the stadium and surrounding waterfront fill with supporters, and community rugby clubs run grades for juniors and adults across the region.

Baseball in Wellington

While rugby, cricket and netball draw the biggest crowds, smaller codes are growing. Baseball is served by the local sports community, which runs teams for a range of ages from junior level upward, with coaches and umpires, and the chance to compete against other regions in national competition. It is a good example of how a minority sport can build a committed following in the capital.

Football, cricket and more

Football is well supported through the Wellington Phoenix, who field men’s and women’s sides in the A-Leagues and play their home matches at Wellington Regional Stadium. Cricket is played through the summer at the Basin Reserve, a historic Test ground close to the city centre that also hosts the Wellington Firebirds and the women’s Blaze in domestic competition. Add softball, hockey, golf, basketball and a strong club running, cycling and watersports scene, and there is a pathway into almost any sport a resident or visitor might want to try.

Part of what makes the city distinctive is how compact it is. Many of the main venues — the stadium, the TSB Arena, the Basin Reserve and the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre — are within a short distance of the central city and easy to reach by public transport, so following or playing several sports in a single season is very manageable.

Where to play and watch sport in the capital

Wellington offers a mix of large event venues and open community facilities. The headline venue is Wellington Regional Stadium, known locally as ‘the Cake Tin’ for its shape and silver cladding. It seats about 34,500, and its commercial name has changed over the years: it was Westpac Stadium from opening in 2000, Sky Stadium from 2020 to 2025, and has been branded Hnry Stadium since 1 March 2026. It has hosted everything from All Blacks tests and Wellington Phoenix fixtures to nine matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For everyday play, the city has dozens of parks, sportsfields and courts available throughout the year, most marked for football, rugby, cricket and softball. Public facilities such as the Berhampore Golf Course and the indoor Ākau Tangi Sports Centre are open for community use. Some fields and courts need to be booked in advance through the city council or the relevant club, so it is worth checking before you turn up.

How to get started in Wellington sport

Getting involved is usually straightforward:

• Pick your sport and season. Most team sports split into a winter code (netball, rugby, football) and a summer code (cricket, softball, baseball), so check when registrations open.
• Find the governing centre or a local club. For netball, that is the Netball Wellington Centre; other sports have their own regional bodies that list affiliated clubs.
• Choose a grade that matches you. Social, mixed and senior grades welcome beginners, while graded competitions suit more experienced players.
• Sort your gear and venue. Confirm what kit you need and whether your court or field has to be booked ahead.

It is also worth knowing that many Wellington clubs rely on volunteers, so there are ways to take part beyond playing: coaching junior sides, learning to umpire, or helping to run a club day are all valued contributions and a good way to meet people. Costs vary by sport and grade, but community netball and club rugby are among the more affordable options, with season fees that typically cover insurance, competition entry and the use of facilities.

Whether you want to shoot for a club team, follow the Central Pulse at the TSB Arena, or simply use a local park at the weekend, Wellington’s sports community is set up to welcome newcomers of every age and ability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which netball team represents Wellington?

Wellington’s elite netball team is the Central Pulse, who play in the ANZ Premiership and represent the wider Netball Central zone. They have won the league title three times, in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

Where can I play netball in Wellington?

Community netball is run by the Netball Wellington Centre, with most competitions held at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Kilbirnie. Grades range from junior programmes for children to social, school and senior adult competitions, so beginners are welcome.

Where do the Central Pulse play their home games?

The Pulse’s main home venue is the TSB Arena on the Wellington waterfront. Because they represent a wider region, some home matches are also played at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North.

What is Wellington’s main stadium called?

It is officially Wellington Regional Stadium and is nicknamed ‘the Cake Tin’. Its commercial name has changed over time: Westpac Stadium from 2000, Sky Stadium from 2020 to 2025, and Hnry Stadium since 1 March 2026. It seats around 34,500 people.

What other sports are popular in Wellington?

Alongside netball, Wellington has strong followings for rugby union (the Wellington Lions and visiting All Blacks tests), football (the Wellington Phoenix), and cricket at the Basin Reserve, plus community codes such as baseball, softball, hockey and golf.