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An initiative by
In partnership with Player
Development
Project
An initiative by
In partnership with Player
Development
Project

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An initiative by
In partnership with Player
Development
Project
About
Featured

How to Raise a Champion

In this article, Mike Peacock discusses the importance of developing the person and shares some video from a recent Sport Canterbury event. What is a champion? In sport, it seems obvious. The winner right? Well, is it really?...
Mike Peacock 39 Min Watch
Sport Leadership

Meeting the Needs of Youth

Young people value sport. So why do participation rates consistently drop at similar ages? In this article, Sport New Zealand presents some research that adults need to take note of. Introduction Sport offers many benefits for young people...
Sport NZ 6 Min Read
Development & Performance

The Process

This article is shared by Player Development Project What is success in youth development? UEFA A licensed academy coach & PDP Technical Advisor, Dan Wright discusses his philosophy of what success looks like when a coach takes a long term...
Dan Wright 2 Min Read
Coaching Fundamentals

Why Talent is Irrelevant

This article is shared by Player Development Project Talent: Nature vs. nurture, is it relevant? Top PDP contributor and coaching innovator, Todd Beane discusses the preconceptions around talent and the role of the coach observing and assessing performance...
Todd Beane 2 Min Read
Watch
Case Studies

Cameron Leslie: Paralympic Pioneer

In this interview, we talk to three-time Paralympic gold medallist swimmer and NZ wheelchair rugby player Cameron Leslie. He talks about his life in sport, from his early swimming experiences through to today, with success across two sports...
Jon Hoggard 3 Min Read
Watch
Coaching Fundamentals

When are kids ready for organised training sessions?

This video is shared by Player Development Project The question this week comes from Anders: “At what stage do you think kids should start going into organised coaching sessions?” Image Credit: Deposit Photos
James Vaughan 5 Min To Watch
Sports Parents

What is a Good Youth Sport Experience?

In this article, Sport Waikato shares insights into how adults can create a great sporting experience for our young people. So you get it. Youth sport is about fun. Competition is great, but when we creep into a...
Sport Waikato 3 Min Read
Development & Performance

How Happiness Enhances Performance

This article is shared by Player Development Project Can happiness impact performance? Former Professional golfer and President of New Edge Performance, John Haime explains how putting enjoyment before achievement can maximise performance. Sometimes things get fuzzy in sports...
John Haime 3 Min Read
Coaching Fundamentals

Praise vs. Affirmation

This article is shared by Player Development Project Prof. Stephen Rollnick is a pioneer in motivational interviewing and in recent years has been applying his knowledge to sport. In this article, Stephen offers a psychology perspective on the...
Professor Stephen Rollnick 5 Min Read

Welcome to the
home of youth sport
in New Zealand.

Welcome
to the home
of youth sport
in New Zealand.

An initiative by
In partnership with Player
Development
Project
Whether you are a coach, parent, administrator or
a leader in youth sport, Balance is Better is for you.

Balance is Better is a fresh way of thinking around the direction of youth sport in New Zealand. It’s about keeping the fun in the game, creating balance in sport participation and nurturing talent at the right pace.

Young people who receive quality experiences in sport become sport lovers for life. And more kiwis participating means a healthier nation and more young people reaching their full potential as adults.

With a mix of articles, interviews, case studies and videos from specialists within youth sport, endorsed by Sport New Zealand, Balance is Better is a way for you to keep up with the play on the latest help, advice and coaching tips from trusted sources.

About
An initiative by
In partnership with Player
Development
Project
Sports Parents

Let Them Play

This article is shared by Player Development Project Play is a fundamental human right for children. It is even recognised in article 31 of the UN Convention of Rights of the Child. So, why is it that adults feel the...
John Haime 5 Min Read
Sports Parents

Parenting the next Sophie Pascoe or Liam Malone

Blasting onto the world stage at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Liam Malone took New Zealand sport by storm.  A relative unknown, he excelled at the highest level and became a household name. Sophie Pascoe, already a well-known disabled...
Catriona McBean 6 Min Read
Watch
Sport Leadership

Lara Andrews on Improving Youth Sport

Lara Andrews is a pioneer for young sports women in New Zealand. Lara was the first Kiwi women to become a professional softball player in the USA. Despite her international success, Lara has played many sports and before...
Sport NZ 2 Min Watch
Coaching Fundamentals

That’s Not How I Learn

This article is shared by Player Development Project How do you differentiate between each individual’s learning experience within your group? No single player’s experience is the same. In this article, Reed Maltbie discusses how you can ensure that...
Reed Maltbie 5 Min Read
Watch
Coaching Fundamentals

How do I develop individual learning plans for players?

This video is shared by Player Development Project The question this week comes from Jody, via the Player Development Project Facebook page: “How do you develop individual learning plans, and then evaluate them?” Image Credit: Sport NZ
Dan Wright 20 Min Watch
Development & Performance

Creating an Environment for Youth to Flourish

In this article, NZ Secondary Schools Netball Coach, Charissa Barham shares some valuable ideas on creating positive sporting environments and understanding our purpose as coaches. Hāpaita te ara mātauranga, kia haukaha te tipu ō ngā rangatira mō āpōpō....
Charissa Barham 6 Min Read
Watch
Sport Leadership

Mike Dawson on Improving Youth Sport

Mike Dawson is a former Canoe Slalom Olympian. In this video, Mike discusses his perspective on why Balance is Better in youth sport. Mike has competed on the world stage in his sport, but is also one of...
Sport NZ 2 Min Watch

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