Cold Saturday mornings on the sidelines, puffer jacket zipped up tight and coffee in hand, is a Kiwi ritual. Week after week, year after year, families gather on local sports fields to cheer on their kids, swap stories, and occasionally offer the referee a little “friendly advice.” Some even dust off the boots to relive a slice of their glory days.
Bede Laracy, Chair of the Raumati Community Board and a local business owner, sees first-hand how Weka Park enriches the wider community.
“Here in Raumati Beach, Weka Park is a stage for those timeless rituals. Maintained with care by the Kāpiti Coast District Council, it’s a field that always seems ready for action, whether it’s football on a crisp winter’s morning or cricket in the heat of summer. It’s a space that belongs to everyone, and it shows,” says Laracy.
“Kāpiti Coast United (KCU) calls Weka Park home, and football here is more than just a Saturday fixture. The club’s vision is simple but powerful: to make football the heart of our community and to inspire lifelong participation in the game. That vision is already paying off, with the Wellington Phoenix making the trip to Raumati for a training session. Such activity is a moment of inspiration for the young players who dream of going further in the sport, but it also brings a wide profile to the area.”
Laracy says when there’s a game on at the park, you can feel it in the village.
“People grab food and coffee, pop into the shops, ride the miniature train, or wander down to the beach. And it’s not just locals. Each game brings visitors who discover Raumati, and many of them come back.”
He says that ripple effect matters. Sports facilities bring families together, encourage active lifestyles, and even fuel local tourism as visitors turn game days into weekend getaways.
The benefits stretch far beyond fitness. Young people gain confidence, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. Parents connect on the sidelines. Volunteers build lasting networks within clubs. Even those not into organised sport find joy walking the dog, flying a drone, or simply enjoying open green space.
“Weka Park isn’t just a sports ground, it’s a living hub of community life. It’s where people support their kids, discover new passions, make connections, and showcase the best of what Raumati has to offer,” Laracy says.
He says that’s the real beauty of it. “The park isn’t only about football, or even just sports. It’s about belonging. Every Saturday morning cheer, every shared laugh, every child running free under the Raumati sun is a vote for places like Weka Park to remain as the beating heart of the community.
“It reminds us of something simple but profound. When our local fields are alive with energy, so are we. And that’s something to celebrate and protect.”
For more see: www.kcu.co.nz