What is Positive Vibes Only?
Positive Vibes Only (PVO) is designed to encourage, support, and promote positive sporting environments for tamariki, rangatahi, and all those who play a role in sport, including supporters, administrators, referees and umpires, coaches, and managers. The initiative recognises that everyone involved contributes to the sporting experience and plays an important role in shaping how sport is experienced by young people.
By placing a strong focus on positivity, PVO supports individuals to reflect on and improve the language and behaviours used on the sidelines, in training, and during competition. Rather than calling out or focusing on negative behaviour, the campaign takes a strengths-based approach that encourages positive actions, respectful communication, and supportive attitudes. Through this approach, PVO aims to create welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable environments where all participants feel safe, valued, and able to thrive, helping to ensure sport remains a positive experience for everyone involved.
Why are we implementing PVO?
The Northland Sports Coalition (a collection of 43 Regional Sports Organisations) identified an opportunity to create environments that are enjoyable for all, whether you are a player, coach, referee, administrator or supporter.
With the help of Regional Sports Organisations, a steering group was created to find and implement a campaign. The steering group included Robbie Johnson (Rugby League Northland CE), Keri Clendon (Whangarei Netball Center GM), Tama Jones (former Hockey Northland CEO), Janine Moy (Sport Northland System Lead) and Madeline Whittam (Sport Northland Regional System Connector).
The steering group collectively decided to adopt Positive Vibes Only - a model created by Sport Waikato in August of 2023 (https://www.sportwaikato.org.nz/positive-vibes-only). The initiative, now with 8 other Regional Sports Trusts (including Sport Northland) can be seen throughout the North Island and the top of the South Island.
Currently, we have 9 Regional Sports Organisations and Facilities supporting PVO. They are:
What is involved in embedding Positive Vibes Only into a sport/school?
Positive Vibes Only is not just a marketing campaign - alongside the bright, engaging visuals, signage and messaging is an educational piece. All organisations are required to take part in Positive Vibes Only education as we know in order to create long term change, a culture shift needs to happen. And that can only happen if everyone is on board, and clear in the vision that will effect change - from coaches, managers, umpires and spectators to the very players themselves.
Contact Details:
If you'd like to know more about the Positive Vibes Only experience, or how to embed it into your own school/sport/facility, get in touch:
Madeline Whittam - madelinew@sportnorth.co.nz
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