Sport and Wellbeing
The Sport and Wellbeing group manages and maintains sport facilities, clubs, events and wellbeing services on campus for the benefit of students and staff, and the wider university community.
This includes key recreation assets on the Hamilton campus like UniRec, the Wellbeing Hub, Esports Arena, the School of Education (SOE) gym, and sports grounds and outdoor courts, alongside sporting events throughout the year.
It also includes key services in both Hamilton and Tauranga such as University Sports Clubs, Social Sport, Inter-tertiary sport, and supporting student and staff wellbeing programmes across both campuses.
UniRec
UniRec is one of Hamilton’s best equipped gyms, located on the University of Waikato Hamilton campus, with student and staff discounts, community memberships, group classes and sport facilities.
Their team caters to people of all walks of life, delivering expert fitness advice in a warm and welcoming environment packed full of different options including:
- Cardio and weights
- Group classes including yoga, pilates, Zumba and more
- Women's only gym
- Free exercise programming and support
- Range of sport facilities
UniRec also offers free Drop-in Sport sessions for students nad staff during trimester that includes volleyball on Wednesdays, 1.00-3.00pm, and badminton and table tennis on Thursdays, 1.00-3.00pm.
For more information, visit www.unirec.co.nz, or email: unirec@waikato.ac.nz .
Location: University of Waikato campus, Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton.
Tauranga Campus - Gym Options and Activities
Gym memberships for University of Waikato staff and students in Tauranga will be available through our partner gym providers. Social sport, yoga and other activities are offered.
For more information, visit: Sport and Wellbeing at Tauranga website, or email: uowsport@waikato.ac.nz .
University of Waikato (UW) Sports Clubs
University of Waikato sports clubs include rugby, netball, basketball, hockey, football, rowing, cricket and spikeball. There are plenty of opportunities to set up new clubs as well, just contact the Sport at Waikato team to express interest.
For more information on UW sports clubs, visit: Sport at Waikato website, or email uowsport@waikato.ac.nz .
Social Sport
Hamilton's premier social sport mixed league runs all year round on campus. Indoor leagues run March to October, and Outdoor leagues from October until the following March.
Indoor runs in six-week blocks, offering indoor netball, basketball, and futsal while outdoor runs for a full 14 weeks over summer with touch and six-a-side football. Teams play against those with similar ability, and all teams are mixed gender.
For more information, visit: Social Sport website , or email: uowsport@waikato.ac.nz
Students on the Tauranga campus will be supported to join a team into local social sport leagues. If interested, email uowsport@waikato.ac.nz.
Inter-Halls, and Inter-Faculty Sport
Represent your Hall, and your Faculty with a number of sporting opportunities throughout the year.
Inter-hall Sport runs throughout the year with a series of free fun and friendly events between the four University Halls in Hamilton that includes basketball, netball, volleyball, esports and more.
Rep your faculty in fun, pop-up sporting events throughout the year where you can win prizes and major bragging rights.
For more information, visit: Sport at Waikato website, or email: uowsport@waikato.ac.nz
Sports Facilities - Hamilton Campus
Sports Fields
The University of Waikato fields are the largest of any New Zealand University. They cater for a activities including the Social Sport outdoor league and act as the home fields of the University of Waikato Rugby Club, Unicol Football Club and the Hamilton Cricket Association.
For more information, visit: Sport at Waikato website, or email: uowsport@waikato.ac.nz.
Cricket Nets
There are three cricket nets situated by the Sports Pavilion available for use. To make a booking email cricket@hsucc.co.nz(please note all bookings need to be made at least 2 days in advance).
Outdoor Courts - Basketball, Netball and Tennis
There are four tennis courts available on campus during the summer months (reduced to one over winter) and three floodlit netball courts available during winter, as well as two basketball courts available all year round.
Sports Facilities - Tauranga Campus
The Tauranga CBD Campus is located close to the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre (QEYC) and the Memorial Pool. Tauranga’s beaches, river and cycleways offer students and staff the perfect playground.
Esport Arena
The University of Waikato is committed to leading the way in Esports in New Zealand with the Esports Arena, University of Waikato Esports Club, Esports minor, High Performance Team and tournaments and activities (managed by University of Waikato Esports Club).
For more information email: esports@waikato.ac.nz or visit our Esports page.
Wellbeing Hub
The Wellbeing Hub is a drop-in space on campus for students to relax and recharge between classes - have a cup of tea, play board games or even have a nap. University staff and students can enjoy an extensive activities calendar with Wholesome Sessions and much more.
The Wellbeing Hub is located at The Station, 164 Hillcrest Road (opposite Gate 5). For more information email: wellbeinghub@waikato.ac.nz
High Performance Sport and Performing Arts
The University is committed to supporting high performance athletes and performers across all disciplines and aims to provide opportunities for students to excel in both academic and sporting or performing arts endeavours. The Student-Athlete Support Hub (SASH) offers assistance to students trying to balance their training, competitions and study, and is available for liaising with academic staff, scholarship providers and sporting bodies.
For more information visit: High Performance website.