Inline skating encompasses a range of disciplines in New Zealand: inline speed skating, inline hockey, artistic inline, freestyle slalom, and recreational skating. Skate NZ and related bodies govern competitive disciplines. New Zealand has active inline skating communities in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other centres. This guide covers the key funding sources for inline skating clubs.
Inline skating encompasses multiple disciplines:
- Inline speed skating: Racing on road or track
- Inline hockey: Team sport on rinks or inline courts
- Artistic inline skating: Figures, free skating, and dance on inline skates
- Freestyle slalom: Technical manoeuvres through cones
- Recreational skating: Parks, paths, and community skating
Skate NZ and related bodies govern skating disciplines:
- Contact Skate NZ for national body affiliation
- World Skate (formerly FIRS) — international governing body — has recognised inline sports
Sport NZ funds skating through the relevant national bodies:
- National programme investment
- Community participation development
RSTs fund community inline skating clubs.
RSTs fund inline skating clubs:
- Equipment grants for skates and protective gear
- Junior skating development
- Women's participation
Key RSTs:
- Aktive Auckland: Auckland inline skating community
- Sport Wellington: Wellington skating clubs
- Sport Canterbury: Christchurch inline hockey and speed skating
- Sport Waikato: Hamilton skating community
Gaming trusts fund inline skating clubs:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community sport organisations
- Grassroots Trust: Youth sport and recreation
- Pub Charity: Equipment and community grants
- Lion Foundation: Junior sport
Gaming trust applications for inline skating:
- Inline skates for club loan programme
- Helmets and protective pads
- Inline hockey sticks and pucks
- Cones and slalom equipment
- Junior programme development costs
Inline skating equipment:
- Inline skates: Recreational $100–$300, performance $300–$800+
- Helmet: Certified skating or cycle helmet — $50–$150
- Knee and wrist pads: Essential protective gear for learners
- Inline hockey sticks: $50–$200
- Inline hockey puck: Smooth puck for hard surfaces
- Slalom cones: For freestyle slalom training
Beginners' equipment sets (skates, helmet, pads) cost $150–$500 per person — a barrier that club loan equipment overcomes.
Inline hockey:
- Team sport format: Similar to ice hockey but on inline skates
- Court or carpark play: Inline hockey doesn't require ice
- Junior inline hockey: Youth leagues in Auckland and other centres
- Equipment: Adapted ice hockey equipment for inline play
Youth development:
- Learn-to-skate programmes: Foundation movement skills
- Junior racing: Speed skating competitions
- Kids' inline hockey: Youth leagues
- School holiday programmes: Recreational skating activities
Public skating:
- Skate parks: Overlap with skateboarding community
- Paths and trails: Recreational inline on greenways and waterfront paths
- Community skating events: Open skating sessions
Roller derby uses quad skates, not inline, but:
- Some skaters participate in both disciplines
- Shared protective equipment (helmets, pads)
- Community overlap between skating disciplines
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: Skaters by age, discipline, and gender
- Junior development: Youth pathway from recreational to competitive
- Equipment: Skates and protective gear — loan sets to reduce entry barriers
- Women's participation: Female skaters and women-led programmes
- Community access: Making skating accessible regardless of income
- Safety: Protective equipment as a prerequisite — strong safety framing
- Recreational participation: Community skating alongside competitive pathway
- Organisation governance: Affiliation to Skate NZ and relevant discipline body
Tahua's grants management platform helps skating clubs manage grant applications across Sport NZ, RSTs, and gaming trusts, tracking equipment, junior development, and participation outcomes.