The Good Sports

Finals day has arrived for King Country club rugby. Whitey, Chainsaw and Peter preview Taupo Marist v Taupo Sports at Owen Delaney Park (2.30pm), with captains Christian Gent-Standen and Hunter Talavai-Layden, ex All Black Dave Hewett, and King Country Rugby CEO David Fox all joining the show. The Good Sports Show, Saturday mornings from 8am on Lake FM, brought to you by Ross White Panel and Paint...

New King Country Rugby CEO David "Foxy" Fox joins The Good Sports to discuss settling into the role, his excitement for the Meads Shield final between Taupō Marist and Taupō Sports, and what's ahead for the Rams in 2026. He also shares why growing community connections, launching a new women's 10-a-side competition, and supporting referees are all key to strengthening grassroots rugby across the r...

Hunter Talivai-Leyden previews the Meads Shield final, reflects on Sports' turnaround after a slow start to the season, explains how new players have strengthened the squad, and shares his goal of earning King Country Rams selection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taupō Marist captain Kristian Gent-Standen joins The Good Sports ahead of the 2026 Meads Shield final. He talks about the excitement of another crack at the title, the growing rivalry with Taupō Sports, recovering from a niggling knee injury, his hopes for higher honours, and pays tribute to club stalwart Sam "Spanky" Robinson as he celebrates his 100th game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

King Country coach Arrin Dunster joins the show to look ahead to the rep season, with squad selection just around the corner. He talks through the depth of local talent coming through, how loan players fit into the squad, and the two big pre-season tests against Taranaki Māori and the Barbarians in Taupo ahead of the Heartland Championship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seventeen-year-old Taupo darts talent Keagan Roos joins the show to talk about qualifying for the World Youth Darts Championships in Gibraltar. He chats about his journey through the Taupo Dart Club, his idol Michael van Gerwen, and how you can help support his campaign to get there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chainsaw and Sticks are back for another packed hour, brought to you by Ross White Panel & Paint. WRC star Hayden Paddon calls in from home turf ahead of Invercargill, talking gravel, his 900 horsepower hill climb car, and 23 years alongside co-driver John Kennard. King Country coach Arrin Dunster previews the Mead Shield semis and the upcoming rep season. Seventeen-year-old darts talent Keaga...

What happens when hockey is played on the bottom of a swimming pool? Phil Somers dives into the rules, the strategy, and the incredible success of Taupō's underwater hockey programme, including a local player heading to the Under-19 World Cup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disc golf is booming, and Taupō is right at the centre of it. Ken Harris explains how Spa Park became a world-class course, what makes the sport so addictive, and why it's the perfect activity for families, beginners and serious competitors alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kane Williamson's retired, the Blackcaps are fighting for a draw in England, and Liam Lawson still can't catch a break. Locally, Taupo's disc golf course is cracking the world top 100 and the underwater hockey club is sending kids to the World Cup. Not bad for a Saturday morning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Drought is only nine years old, but he's already competing internationally in MiniGP and chasing a future in MotoGP. Hear how the Taupō youngster got started, what's next in Australia and China, and why the local community is getting behind one of New Zealand's most exciting young motorsport talents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stinger and Phil cover a massive weekend of sport, joined by Chiefs assistant coach David Hill ahead of the Super Rugby final, Taupō AFC coach Ray How on football and the FIFA World Cup, and Hayden Dickason with the latest on the 2026 Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge. Plus, meet nine-year-old motorsport sensation James Drought, who is chasing his MotoGP dream while representing New Zealand on the intern...

This week, Stinger and Phil Edwards bring the banter as they catch up with former Samoa international Fritz Lee about swapping French rugby for life in Taupō, taking the reins at Taupō Sports, and his vision for rebuilding the club's future. Then, they dive into the pickleball craze with Grace Senior, exploring why the fast-growing sport is attracting players of all ages across the region. Rugby,...

Former Samoa international and French Top 14 star Fritz Lee joins us to talk about life after professional rugby, his move to Taupō, and helping rebuild Taupō Sports Rugby Club. He shares his vision for the club, the challenges facing grassroots rugby, and why getting players back to training is the key to future success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pickleball is booming in Taupō, and club president Grace Senior joins us to explain why. From its quirky origins and rapid growth to the upcoming open day at Tauhara College, Grace shares how this easy-to-learn sport is attracting players of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you're a golfer, tennis player, squash enthusiast, or complete beginner, this could be the sport for you. See omnystudio....

The Black Sticks are defending Nations Cup champions, and former Olympian Darren Smith joins us to talk through New Zealand's chances of repeating the feat. We discuss the teams to beat, the road to Olympic qualification, and why this tournament is one of the most important events on the international hockey calendar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Mitch Rees joins The Good Sports from Europe to discuss his latest Isle of Man TT campaign. From racing at over 200km/h on public roads to the mental challenge of memorising every corner, Mitch gives a fascinating insight into one of motorsport's most iconic events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you turn running into a team sport? Torben from Pillar to Pou joined The Good Sports Show to chat about Taupō's unique six-hour endurance event, where teams (or solo runners) tackle as many 7.3km lakefront laps as they can. The Good Sports are brought to you 8am every Saturday morning thanks to Ross White Panel & Paint. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.