New Zealand is a country fuelled by volunteers who help keep kiwi kids active. Whether you’re a coach, official or administrator, you have a role to play in keeping young people safe, well and having fun on the field. As the seasons change, we’re here to help. Join the #seasonready conversation to access learning and knowledge to make this the best season ever.
Did you know that a team of 1.3 million people volunteer each year, across clubs, schools and other sporting organisations, to help keep our country’s youth at play? Volunteers play a vital role in our sporting system and often occupy multiple roles, as parents and administrators.
The transition into a new sporting season is an ideal time to rethink the approach you’ll take to any volunteer role, whether that’s as a coach, manager or club administrator, or as a parent on the sidelines.
Sport New Zealand can help. Over the next six weeks, we’ll be sharing articles, videos, learning modules and other resources designed to support you in your important role as volunteer.
Tap into our #seasonready resources and you’ll be helping keep kiwi kids active by creating sporting experiences that encourage, motivate and resonate with youth.
#seasonready will connect you with:
- information about the Balance is Better philosophy and how to create positive experiences for all young people in sport
- general help and advice to support your coaching journey
- tips on preventing conflict and creating a positive culture across sport, plus the knowledge to know what to do if complaints arise
- learning modules on safeguarding and protecting children and young people, including identifying the signs of potential neglect and knowing what to do about it
- resources to create a system without prejudice, so that young people can play in a welcoming and inclusive environment
We know that when kids play at the right level, learn new skills and have fun with their mates, they’re more likely to become sports lovers for life. Safe and enjoyable sport and recreation experiences are also the right of every participant.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on the Balance is Better website and newsletter. Lookout for #seasonready and please share your favourite content with your sporting community.
#seasonready resources
Balance is Better in Action
Former New Zealand basketballer Dillon Boucher knows all about the pressure to perform and succeed in sport. But it’s not from his own experiences – it’s from the expectation of others that his four children will follow in his footsteps. “If people see me on…
Sport NZ
2 Min Read
Balance is Better in Action
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 make the most of 2021 by working together…
Alex Chiet
2 Min Read
Coaches
Sport NZ’s Balance is Better philosophy is centred on ensuring all young people, regardless of their ability, have a quality experience playing sport. We want young people to stay in sport and realise their potential, not be turned…
Andy Rogers
2 Min Read
Parents
With the start of another sports season just around the corner, it’s a great time for parents to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge that will provide their child (and themselves) with a positive experience this year….
Kelly Curr
2 Min Read
Sport Leaders & Administrators
Everyone involved in sport and active recreation at any level should feel confident the activities in which they participate in are safe, fair, free from discrimination, abuse and other harmful behaviours. This is particularly important for young people. …
Sport NZ
2 Min Read
Watch
Parents
Sport NZ and five of the largest participation sports in New Zealand – Rugby, Cricket, Football, Netball and Hockey – have launched a major public awareness campaign calling for enablers of youth sport to reconsider their approaches. But…
Alex Chiet
2 Min Read
Parents
Parents’ motivations for supporting their children to play sport and children’s motivations for playing sport don’t always line up. We hear from Kelly Curr about why it’s important that parents ask themselves “why does my child play sport?“ Sport and active recreation…
Kelly Curr
2 Min Read
Parents
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
2 Min Read
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Coaches
This video is shared by Player Development Project The question this week comes from Gordon, via email; “I’ve just started coaching teenagers for the first time, do you have any advice?” Additional Resources Ebook: Coaching Fundamentals: Six Steps to…
Dan Wright
38 Min Watch
Watch
Coaches
This video is shared by Player Development Project The question this week comes from Sean: “Many of the parents in my team are exceptionally vocal, often coaching the players from the sideline and contradicting the ideas that I…
Dan Wright
7 Min Watch
Watch
Balance is Better in Action
Rebecca Dubber is a New Zealand Paralympic bronze medalist, who is passionate about getting more young people involved in sport and breaking down barriers. She shares her story and her role as a Balance is Better Champion. Rebecca…
Sport NZ
2 Min Watch
Watch
Coaches
In this series of Balance is Better articles, Sport NZ explores the myths surrounding youth sport and the shift in thinking needed to halt declining participation levels in kiwi teens. When we push our young people too hard,…
Sport NZ
2 Min Read
