Season of change
The changing of seasons has historically seen frustrated parents, flummoxed coaches and overworked athletes. The Covid-19 Pandemic provided an opportunity for New Zealand sports codes to address this. As one...
Bold and courageous leadership
Wellington regional sport organisations make changes for participant wellbeing
Six major sports organisations in Wellington have agreed to improve the experience for players and parents by aligning their respective season transition dates. In a first for Wellington, College Sport...
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Responding to falling participation numbers in under-12 boys rugby – lessons from New Zealand Rugby in changing under-11 boys rugby competition structures
In this case study, we hear from New Zealand Rugby about the change they undertook to the design and delivery of under-11 boys’ rugby competition structures. These changes were brought about in response to national year-on-year declining numbers at under-12 boys...
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...
Collaborating for (better) impact
One of the key principles of the Balance is Better philosophy states: Aotearoa’s sport sector must work collaboratively to encourage the widest possible change for wellbeing and sport participation for...
Canterbury Commits to Season of Change
Read here to see an updated story on the sports that have been collaborating in Canterbury to align season timings for the benefit of their participants Facilitated by Sport Canterbury,...
Dribbling Football: How a child-centred approach led Belgian youth football from 11v11 to 2v2
This article is republished with permission from iCoachKids. One size doesn’t fit all: not in training sessions, not in matches, and not in the personal profile of coaches. To solve...
Sports stand together to make the 2021 winter season special
After a 2020 winter season heavily disrupted by COVID-19, Sport NZ and five of the country’s largest participation sports are calling on coaches, parents and others at grassroots level to...
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Back to the Future: Steve Hansen on Vulnerability
Steve Hansen shares his thoughts on how and why coaches should show vulnerability. **This is video is part of a six-part video series, featuring Steve Hansen talking about leadership throughout his...