Newtown Park

Newtown Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for football (soccer) matches and athletic events. The main pitch has a 400-metre, all-weather rubberized athletics track around it, as well as the spectator stands and the corporate lounge. A second, rectangular pitch (Newtown Park 2) is attached south of the main facility.

For the football stadium in Bo'ness, Scotland, see Newtown Park, Bo'ness.

Newtown Park
LocationNewtown, Wellington, New Zealand
Coordinates41°19′13″S 174°46′57″E
OwnerWellington City Council
OperatorWellington City Council
Capacity5,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Opened1881
Renovated2008
Tenants
Kiwi Amateur Athletic Club
Team Wellington
Wellington Olympic AFC
Wellington Phoenix FC
Wellington United

History

Newtown Park was built in 1881 and was part of Wellington Zoo. The first match played there was an international rugby game where Wellington beat New South Wales 14–2 drawing 5,000 spectators including then Governor Sir James Prendergast. It was the main ground for Rugby in Wellington until Athletic Park was opened in 1896. Newtown Park has also been used to house New Zealand Troops before they departed for the Boer War, World War I and World War II.[1]

Football at Newtown Park

Newtown Park and its clubrooms are, during the winter football season, operated by Wellington United.

The second pitch was redeveloped in 2008, and is currently used by A-League franchise Wellington Phoenix for training and minor exhibition matches.

Other Football Events Hosted

Athletics at Newtown Park

Newtown Park is the primary athletics stadium for the Wellington region, and during the summer football season is operated by the Kiwi Amateur Athletic Club. It is host to the McEvedy Shield competition, an annual athletics series between four Wellington boys schools. It is also used by many other schools as a place to stage in-house events.

Other events at Newtown Park

Newtown Park also serves as a community events centre for the surrounding area, hosting cultural events such as Carols by Candlelight.

The #1 pitch was re-developed in 2011 to function as a training venue for teams competing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. During the tournament, football events were relocated to other venues.

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References
  1. Weber, Adriana (3 October 2013). "Newtown Park's long history". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. Not to be confused with Wellington Phoenix FC - Wellington Phoenix United was a team composed of some Phoenix FC players and prominent members of the Wellington football community
  3. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/77488,gao-sparks-phoenix-fundraiser.aspx
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