Balance is Better in Action
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Featured
Webinar replay: Building strong sport partnerships with schools
Do you want to learn the ins and outs of navigating the school sport system to make a lasting impact? Schools are a key environment for rangatahi in sport, and it can be challenging at times for clubs...
Coaches
The value of variety
Balance is Better in Action
Parents vital in growth of surf life saving
Coaches
Are late developers really at a disadvantage?
In this article, Dr Jason Tee discusses how late-developers may be advantaged (as opposed to early-developers) in their development pathways, and ultimately become more successful in sport. David vs Goliath… During the first week of July, I had...
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Coaches
Maximising Player Potential with Rob Sherman
This video is shared by Player Development Project In this Player Development Project Masterclass Discussion, Dave Wright is joined by Rob Sherman to discuss how coaches can maximise player potential. This interview (recorded while Rob was NZF Technical...
Coaches
Teaching athletes about winning it all
This article is republished with permission from iCoachKids How do champions behave and train? What sets apart the best from the rest? How can coaches help athletes learn these behaviours? In this article, Prof Wade Gilbert unpacks some...
Coaches
Period power: Supporting young people with periods during physical activity
Talking about periods may seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you don’t menstruate. However, offering your support to those who menstruate, and considering their specific needs during sport and physical activity, can make a positive difference to...
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Coaches
How do I support an athlete with a variety of coaches?
We received the following question from Scott, a high school cricket coach, How should we approach athletes who have more than one coach? I coach a couple of high school teams and a representative team. And work solely...
Balance is Better in Action
Putting the Youth Voice in the Centre Circle
Gisborne Netball Centre has leveraged the power of sport to engage rangatahi, grow confidence and change lives. The challenge: a sporting decline Gisborne Netball Centre have seen declining participation from rural communities over the last 30 years. A...
Coaches
Developing Your Coaching Identity
Every coach has a coaching identity — some just don’t know it. The coaches that reflect on “what is their coaching identity?”, tend to benefit from this reflection by being able to identify the qualities that either help...
Sport Leaders & Administrators
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...
Balance is Better in Action
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 head to head with front rowers around the...
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Coaches
Youth Development in Rugby with Russell Earnshaw
This video is shared by Player Development Project. This interview features former England U18 Rugby Coach and International 7’s player, Russell Earnshaw. Player Development Project Editor, Dave Wright dives into a conversation with Russell on the types of...
Balance is Better in Action
People first: A new approach to coach development at Canterbury Cricket
Coaches have one of the biggest influences on a young person’s experience with sport. An innovative initiative from Canterbury Cricket is ensuring coaches are equipped and supported to bring the best out of the region’s young cricketers. With...
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Balance is Better in Action
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 this year’s theme Five Ways, Five Days giving...
Balance is Better in Action
How Capital Football’s new festival puts the participant first
With the evidence highlighting a clear drop-off for participation in youth football, Capital Football knew it needed to act to keep young people playing the beautiful game. Data analysed by Capital Football showed that many people playing football...
Editor's Picks
A collection of articles curated by the Balance is Better team.
Coaches
How to coach with a Balance is Better Philosophy?
How can coaches bring the Balance is Better philosophy to life? In this article, Andy Rogers, National Coaching Consultant at Sport NZ,...
Coaches
Creating an Environment for Youth to Flourish
In this article, Sport Development Consultant, Charissa Barham shares some valuable ideas on creating positive sporting environments and understanding our purpose as...
Coaches
Book Club with Dr. Ralph Pim
Following on previous Book Club features (see the recommendations from Andy Rogers and Tammy Mehrtens), we hear from Dr. Ralph Pim. Dr Ralph Pim...
Coaches
No Coach is an Island: Coaching in Competition
This article is republished with permission from iCoachKids In this article, Simon Toole discusses coaching feedback and intervention from the sideline. The...
Coaches
The CPR Method: How to Support Players When They Make a Mistake*
* Important clarification: we are not talking about poor skill execution, but more about poor game-decisions. In this article, Dr Sergio Lara-Bercial...
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Coaches
How to be a great secondary school sport coach?: Defining success, mistakes verses outcomes, and the importance of self-awareness
In this Q&A, we hear from Dan Stamp, mental skills coach and Unitec lecturer, about his observations of New Zealand secondary school coaches. Dan,...
Parents
What makes an expert sports parent?
In 2015, Chris Harwood and Camilla Knight, published an academic paper titled, Parenting in youth sport – a positioning paper on parenting expertise. In this paper...
Parents
A parent guide to child growth and development in sport
In this guide we discuss the key considerations relating to children’s growth and development that may influence their sport experience. This guide...
Balance is Better in Action
Fun without pressure – Ex-New Zealand footballer Wendi Henderson talks youth sport
Former New Zealand footballer Wendi Henderson wants young people to enjoy their sports without any pressure, just as she did in her youth. ...
Parents
A parent guide to child growth and development in sport
In this guide we discuss the key considerations relating to children’s growth and development that may influence their sport experience. This guide was adapted from work by Sport Parent EU. It is published with their permission. In this guide, parents will...
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Balance is Better in Action
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 days, among other Balance is Better (BiB) themes in episode...
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Parents
Female Athletes and the Menstrual Cycle
Traditionally, education around the menstrual cycle has focused on reproduction. But this can overlook the many other vital health outcomes associated with the menstrual cycle. At Balance is Better, we believe it is essential for girls and parents...
Coaches
Webinar replay: Supporting Sporty Girls
Are you a coach or administrator supporting young women to develop a love of sport? There are some important things that you should know but are rarely talked about. This webinar replay is hosted by youth sport experts,...
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Coaches
Managing the Physical Load of Female Athletes
Giving athletes appropriate physical loads is crucial to helping them optimise their experiences in youth sports. Though a certain level of physical activity is necessary for individuals to develop physiologically and improve their overall performance levels, excessive physical...
Value of sport
The value of community sport
The benefits of being involved in sport are far-reaching. For participants, research shows that sport is a form of recreation that makes us happier, healthier people. At a community level, we know sport is a great connector. Sport...