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How much is too much when it comes to youth sport?

How much is too much when it comes to youth sport?
Creating a positive parent culture

Creating a positive parent culture
Running good trials and selections

Running good trials and selections
Balanced Female Health

Balanced Female Health

A balanced approach to sport

Balance is Better is about creating quality experiences which will help all young people stay in sport for life.

Featured

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Balance is Better in Action
2 Min

What helps young people stay in sport

What keeps young people in sport? Ken Martel shared a clear message: when young people enjoy their experience, they are more likely to keep playing. When they don’t, many stop. Ken Martel, Senior Director of Player and Coach Development at USA Hockey, has more than 30 years’ experience in community and high performance ice hockey. He was in New Zealand earlier this year to share USA Hockey’s story of participation growth and success on the world stage with sport leaders. Drawing on his work in...
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Coaches

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Articles, Webinars plus more for Coaches

Body and mind
2 Min

Help young people stay injury free and well this season 

Winter sport is a great way for young people to stay active, build confidence and connect with friends. But the start of the season is also when injuries are most common, often because...
Coaches
2 Min

Building rapport and developing great coach-player relationships 

Strong coaching starts with relationships. When young people feel seen, supported and safe, they’re more likely to enjoy their sport, keep learning and stay involved.   So how do you build rapport with a team, especially...
Coaches
2 Min

Self-Determination Theory for coaches: what it means in practice

As a coach, one of the most important questions to ask is: Will my players want to come back next week? Next season?  Young people stay in sport when they are motivated...
More for Coaches

Parents

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Articles, Webinars plus more for Parents

Quality experiences, regardless of ability or motivations
< 1 Min

Inclusion training resources to support quality sport experiences 

Inclusive sport environments help all young people to feel welcome, valued and able to take part – regardless of ability.  Halberg Foundation, which supports disabled young people in sport and active recreation, offers CoachMate inclusion training resources to help coaches, teachers, volunteers and whānau deliver inclusive,...
Parents
< 1 Min

Are we doing our kids a disservice if they don’t play sports?

Sport can help young people learn new skills, connect and build confidence. But when it becomes too serious too soon, it can create pressure, burnout and drop‑out. That’s why the...
Quality experiences, regardless of ability or motivations
2 Min

Coaching for inclusion: supporting neurodiverse young people

Simple ways to support every player  Every young person comes to sport with different strengths, needs and ways of learning. For some, these differences are visible. For others, they’re not.  Many young people are neurodivergent....
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Sport Leaders & Administrators

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Articles, Webinars plus more for Sport Leaders & Administrators

Balance is Better Approach
2 Min

Play their way: approaches to movement and sport for young people 

Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa (Sport NZ) and Te Hau Kori held a seminar on how play-based, child-first approaches can change young people’s experiences of movement and sport.  Experts shared what the...
Body and mind
2 Min

Concussion: what to look for this season  

As winter sport approaches, it’s worth taking a few minutes to refresh what concussion can look like and what to do next. Responding well isn’t just about managing risk – it’s part of creating safe, positive sport experiences for...
Quality experiences, regardless of ability or motivations
< 1 Min

New eLearning modules to help create inclusive sport environments

Creating inclusive spaces in sport is essential for ensuring every young person feels welcome and supported. Special Olympics New Zealand have launched a series of foundational eLearning modules, designed to...
More for Sport Leaders & Administrators

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Coaches
2 Min

Coaching your own child: 5 Tips for the parent-coaches

Being both a parent and a coach can be rewarding and challenging. The key is finding the right balance so your child, their teammates and you all have a positive...
Parents
2 Min

How much is too much when it comes to youth sport? 

Many parents, coaches and supporters ask the same question: how much sport is too much for young people? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But when training load, expectations and commitments build...
Athlete stories
3 Min

Why balance keeps Sam Tanner at his best

Athlete Sam Tanner shares why balance keeps him grounded, motivated and loving sport more than ever. When middle‑distance runner Sam Tanner lines up on the start line, it’s easy to...
Balance is Better Champions
2 Min

“Sport gave me a place to belong”

Paralympian Holly Robinson shares how sport gave her confidence, connection and a sense of belonging. Growing up in Hokitika on the rugged West Coast, Holly Robinson was always outdoors –...
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Coaches
2 Min

Coaching for community, not just competition

“It’s not just about winning anymore. It’s about becoming better people and then better players.” Every Friday night in Palmerston North, over 1300 young people gather not just to play...
Coaches
2 Min

What is a coaching philosophy?

A coaching philosophy is the foundation of how you coach. It reflects your values, beliefs and approach to working with athletes. It’s not about copying others – it’s about being...
Coaches
< 1 Min

Meet the coaches making a difference

The Coach for Life Foundation is shining a light on the mahi of community sports coaches across Aotearoa. Find out what drives them, what keeps them going and how they’re...
Safe, fair and inclusive
3 Min

Developing a shared language for recognising exclusion

In this powerful article, disabled athlete and advocate Jaden Movold shares his lived experiences of ableism in sport. These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re patterns disabled young people face again...
Coaching practice
< 1 Min

Creating a safe and supportive space for female coaches

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is helping to develop female coaching talent through initiatives that build confidence, provide practical skills, and foster inclusive environments. One example is the Women’s Development Course piloted by...
Balance is Better Approach
< 1 Min

Positive Vibes Only: a sideline behaviour campaign

Negative sideline behaviour, which has plagued sport for many years, has a large impact on the experiences of young athletes, referees and sport managers. Sport Waikato saw the effects of...
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