The Spectator - Summer Issue

Welcome to the Summer issue of The Spectator and our final issue for 2023.

As we conclude our programmes for the year, we reflect on the impressive utilisation of the facilities throughout 2023, noting some remarkable user statistics.

In the past 12 months, we've experienced over 500,000 visits across our facilities with Avery House Hostel totalling 7,020 bed nights.

The introduction of Water Polo to the region has been a resounding success in 2023, boasting a participation of over 1,500 local players who engage in regular competition. Additionally, we proudly hosted the NZ Waterpolo Masters and the Men's Youth Test Series between Australia and New Zealand.

As we move into 2024, the team at HBCFCT would like to thank you for your support in 2023 and we look forward to the growth and development of our programmes and events in the New Year.

Hawke's Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust new General Manager Brendan Bourke has been officially welcomed into the role. Brendan has a vast background in national and international event management. His last role was Head of Operations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.

Although he’s lived in Hawke’s Bay for the last three years, he’s spent a lot of time away from the region in his previous position, so he is really looking forward to being locally based.

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Hosting sporting events offers many benefits, providing the opportunity to showcase our facilities, the sports involved, and the region.

Large scale events attract large numbers of out-of-town competitors, supporters and spectators and a flow on effect such as accommodation and hospitality bookings.

The Regional Aquatic Centre powered by Pak’nSave Hastings has attracted some major national and international events with more to come in early 2024.

This year the centre hosted Swimming New Zealand’s National Age Group Championships, the NZ Short Course Championships and the NZ Masters and a Tri Series competition was also held.

Water Polo Hawke’s Bay hosted a NZ vs Australia Junior Men's Test Series and the NZ Waterpolo Masters and the venue was well received by the teams.

The appeal of the onsite Avery House Hostel and mix of on-site health and wellbeing services and a café all add to the overall offering.

Swimming NZ will host back to back New Zealand Swimming Championships and New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships in April 2024. Tickets to these events can be found on the Swimming NZ website here.

These national events are an outcome of a partnership we formed with Swimming Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay, Hastings District Council and Napier City Council to bring the events to the region.

Local events were also popular in 2023 and we will be looking to continue events such as WOD in the Park, a HBCFCT fitness competition that was a first-year success.

Our world class facility celebrated its first year operating in September with a 1st Birthday Open Day.

Operations & Facilities Manager, Nathan Manu says the facility has quickly established itself as a top tier host for national and international water events, hosting Swimming New Zealand national events where many PB’s and records were recorded.

Community use has also been high with nearly 35,000 public visits, thousands of swimming lessons and water safety lessons delivered by over 30 instructors.

“Learning to swim and water safety are vital life skills and to have ongoing financial support of Royston Health Trust and Hurford Parker to deliver these programmes is important.”

Other highlights include the higher than expected casual pool use with over 34,000 visits; along with the explosion of participation in Water Polo.

Sport and Health Clinic

The Sport & Health Clinic including The Movement Co. Rehab and Performance, Hawke’s Bay Sport Medicine, TRG Imaging and N Cubed registered dietitian had over 10,400 visits.

Some of the clinic’s talented team have also worked with national sport teams throughout the year with Dr Mel Parnell working with the Silver Ferns, Dr Alyse Cameron working with the Black Ferns, and The Movement Co’s Hannah Manu working with the White Ferns in South Africa.

Hydrotherapy Centre availability extended

The Mactaggart Hydrotherapy Centre is now available to professional health practitioners.

The two pools are used by Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand – Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay for patient treatment and recovery along with general public for training recovery Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.

Outside of those hours local physiotherapists can now utilise the two pools for patient therapy.

The Mactaggart Hydrotherapy Centre is one of the best of its kind in New Zealand with two pools – sized 4.5 metres by 4.2m and the second pool is 4.5m by 2.7m.

Features include an automated hoist system to move patients into the pools from the large changing room, hydrotherapy jets, hydraulic treadmill, underwater mirrors for swim technique, swim flume machines (creating current for swimming) and an exercise step.

New stairs have been installed to improve accessibility for disabled people.

Aqua bikes can be used in the pools and there are also TV monitors to support swim technique analysis and coaching.

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