Interview with an All Black
This article is shared by Player Development Project Dane Coles is arguably one of the world’s best and most dynamic rugby players. In the combative position of hooker, Coles regularly goes...
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Balancing hauora and wellbeing in rugby with Roos and Vettise
This article has been republished with permission from New Zealand Rugby Mental Health Awareness Week (September 18-24) is an initiative run annually in New Zealand by the Mental Health Foundation, with...
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All Black Will Jordan on keeping more young people in sport
This article has been republished with permission from New Zealand Rugby Coaches and parents are influential in keeping youth in sport as All Black Will Jordan reflects on his earlier...
The journey of Paul Coll (underpinned by lots of hard work)
What value does playing a variety of sport have in youth development? Kiwi squash player, Paul Coll shares some insight into his playing journey. Update: In August 2021, Paul Coll...
Letters from Rangatahi: Olympic muses and musings (and some thoughts for adults)
In this open letter, we hear from Ciccone Hakaraia-Turner, Netball New Zealand Youth Board representative and Year 13 Wharekura student at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae. Ciccone shares with the reader her reflections on the Tokyo Olympics, on various...
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio on keeping the balance
Silver Fern netball captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio reckons she wouldn’t be playing netball right now if she had specialised early. Growing up in Bundaberg on Australia’s Queensland coast the specialist shooter...
Focus on athletes not agendas – Former Black Cap, Andrew Ellis
Former Black Cap and Canterbury footballer Andrew Ellis grew up on the sidelines of sports fields. Having a Dad who was heavily involved in the sports media industry meant much of Andrew’s...
Playing other sports made me a better cricketer and person – White Fern Captain, Sophie Devine
White Ferns cricket captain Sophie Devine has never understood early specialisation in sport. It’s one of the reasons why the Wellingtonian is a Balance is Better Champion, to spread the...
Black Ferns rugby captain Les Elder talks about changing behaviours
As player development manager for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Les Elder has seen first-hand the impact the focus on winning has on young people. “Before I started working in sport...