Balance is Better | with Christchurch Netball Centre​​​​​​​

Balance is Better is an evidence-based philosophy that underpins Sport NZ’s overall approach to youth sport.

Balance is Better is an evidence-based philosophy to support quality sport experiences for all young people, regardless of ability, needs and motivations. It is about young people staying involved in sport for life and realising their potential at the right time.

The Balance is Better philosophy has been developed by the NZ sport system (e.g. sport organisations, leaders and administrators, schools, clubs, coaches, parents and volunteers) to support the culture change needed to provide quality sport opportunities for tamariki (5-11) and rangatahi (12-18). Sport NZ’s current focus is on rangatahi, given the decline we are seeing in teenage participation.

What is it all about?

We're losing young people from sport, and they are missing out on the opportunity to be physically active and reach their full potential.

If we're going to change this, we need to improve what's happening at the grass roots and for those involved in delivering youth sport to think differently.

We need to think about how we can put the fun and skill development back into kids sport.

Nine principles underpinning the Balance is Better philosophy have been developed to guide the NZ sport system to provide improved sport experiences for all young people.

Principles of Balance is Better 

On average, females want to do more activity (even more so than males), yet they face significantly more barriers than males in order to participate in sport and other physical activity.

What are we doing as a community to improve opportunities for women and girls in sport?

Sport NZ is committed to improving the opportunities, value and visibility for women and girls. In 2018, the New Zealand Government launched the Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation Strategy to address inequalities faced by women and girls in participation, wider involvement and visibility in sport and active recreation in Aotearoa.

Visit the Sport New Zealand Balance Is Better web site.