Coaches
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Reframing physical activity for and with young women
We need to continue to ask ourselves if the rationale of the action or initiative has been informed by young women. If yes, ka rawe! Awesome! If not, then why are we doing it? We might need to...
Coaches
Developing a Team Identity
Many coaches talk about team identity. But what does ‘identity’ mean? And how does it affect the athletes we coach? In this article, we’ll learn that the significance of identity is far-reaching, for both individuals and teams, and...
Coaches
Peeling the onion – Identity in youth sport
Rarely do we take a moment to ponder our identity. That is, what are the x’s and o’s that have gone into making us who we are, what we are, and how we label ourselves. Our memories, our...
Coaches
A Guide to Running Good Trials and Selection Processes
We know that trials and selection processes in youth sport can be a hot topic for many sports administrators, coaches, parents and athletes. And despite trials and selection processes being a significant part of the youth sport landscape,...
Value of sport
Sweat, graft and toil
An ode to youth sport. Celebrating the unique ways in which youth sport contribute to young people’s lives. Ah, youth sport! A world of boundless energy, raw talent, and unbridled enthusiasm. Where the field is your canvas, and...
Coaches
Nutrition 101 for Adolescent Athletes: What all parents & coaches should know
Carbs, protein, fat. In this article, we introduce the key nutritional information parents and coaches need to know to support healthy adolescent athletes. There are a lot of mixed messages about nutrition on the web. No wonder it’s...
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Parents
Do athletes from rural backgrounds get a development advantage?
Bobby Newport is a senior lecturer in sport & recreation at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga. In this Q&A, Hamish Rogers talks to Bobby about his research looking at the development backgrounds of some of New Zealand’s best hockey...
Parents
How do I support my child to maintain a love of sport, regardless of ability?
In this article we respond to the following question submitted to the Balance is Better team – Help, my boy is not as talented as other players (including his siblings) and he now knows it. How do I help...
Coaches
The art of vulnerability – Lessons on coaching with Ted Lasso
This is the first in a series of blogs by Dave Keelty looking at coaching lessons from hit television comedy, Ted Lasso. Ted Lasso is back, and I am excited! For those of you who haven’t discovered this gem of...
Webinars
Athlete, Parent & Coach: Building Better Relationships in Youth Sport
Communication is critical in a positive development environment. From a coaching perspective, clearly communicating with both athlete and parent will help establish and manage expirations.
Webinars
Game Management: Supporting Athlete Learning Through Play
Hear actionable insights from our panel of experienced community youth coaches on implementing team targets, individual learning plans, and finding a balance between training and team needs.
Coaches
How to Help Athletes With Failure
Responding to failure can be difficult for parents and coaches. Nobody wants to fail, and the sense of vulnerability that often accompanies moments of perceived failure can be incredibly challenging. But these instances are an inevitable part of...
Coaches
Performance is a Behaviour, Not an Outcome
This article is shared by Player Development Project Founder of Changing the Game Project and top Player Development Project contributor, John O’Sullivan shares his ideas about the definition of performance and how to create an environment of autonomy, learning and...
Coaches
The Other Side of Failure
This article is shared by Player Development Project Failure is crucial in human development. Whether as a coach, player, parent or another vocation, embracing failure as part of a journey towards improvement is crucial in the learning process. Reed...
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
The Benefits of Non-Traditional Games and Sports
Non-traditional games and sports are enjoying a surge in popularity in New Zealand. Sporting offerings beyond mainstream activities such as rugby, football, netball, and cricket are more accessible than ever, giving children and parents a wealth of options...
Parents
Being a perfectionist in sport
For many people, perfectionism is a concern. It features in lots of different areas of people’s lives. Importantly for sport parents, perfectionism can be rife among athletes at any age. This article is republished with permission from Sport...
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Coaches
Unpacking the Balance is Better principle – Collective Attitudinal Change
“Sport leaders, coaches, administrators, parents, and caregivers involved in youth sport must collectively lead attitudinal change.” In this video, Sport Development Consultants Alex Chiet and Hamish Rogers, unpack the Balance is Better principle – Collective Attitudinal Change. Key...
Sport Leaders & Administrators
Let’s work together
It’s no secret we’re a fan of collaboration. In fact, one of the key principles of Balance is Better is about “Working together” We’ve previously outlined in detail what it means to collaborate (including tips for organisations wanting...
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Coaches
There is still a race to win
Have you seen Sebastian Vettel’s retirement announcement? It is a powerful watch. In the four-minute video, Seb spends 90% of the time talking about who he is and what he wants to do. Away from the track. “There...
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 details his thoughts on how coaches should react when players make game-decision mistakes. Let’s get the...