In response to feedback from Secondary School students across the region, Sport Hawke’s Bay has funded 10 new rangatahi designed projects to get more young people physically active.

Sport Hawke’s Bay recently released the 2021 State of Secondary School Sport report which highlights the well published declining participation and enjoyment in sport and active recreation among rangatahi, and a lack of understanding of the value that sport and physical activity can bring to the education system.

Sophie Hickford, Sport Hawke’s Bay Regional Sport Director states “the percentage of total students involved in organised sport in Hawke’s Bay is 57% which is great when compared to the national total of 49%.”

“Our female and male participation is also sitting higher than that of the national figures which is a positive sign that the providers in Hawke’s Bay are continuing to adapt and change what they offer based on students’ needs and feedback”.

“Although we have experienced an unprecedented two years with interruptions due to Covid, it has been great to see a wide range of new opportunities for rangatahi to get active in a way that they want to but from talking to young people we know we need to do more”. Hickford adds

Through the Sport New Zealand funded Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund, Sport Hawke’s Bay worked alongside the Student Council to support new projects being established in school, developed, and designed by students. Students surveyed at least one year group in their school and applied using feedback from students to design a new initiative to the value of $500 per project.

Kate Benny, Sport Hawke’s Bay Community Partnership Advisor says, “It was great to see so many great examples of voice of the rangatahi being used to help develop new projects that are low cost but high impact”.

A total of 10 projects were successful covering sport and active recreation opportunities. This included a Napier Girls High led project titled the ‘NGHS Amazing Race’ which will see students dressing up in teams, and racing around the school to compete in fun and inclusive events. The outcomes the students are working to achieve include creating new friendships outside of class, promoting wellbeing, and encouraging young women to be more confident to get involved with physical activity.

“From a virtual duathlon, surfing lessons, lunchtime games, and a colour run, we are excited to see these great projects activate our young people. After two years of cancellations or changes to events, we encouraged students to look for projects that can run no matter what the traffic light system and as a result, we have 10 different projects that are going ahead no matter what” Benny adds.

Round 2 for the Full Fund is now open and projects or initiatives that are requesting funding up to $40,000 are welcome to apply.

Funding is available for a wide range of organisations from throughout the region. Sport Hawke’s Bay encourages anyone thinking about applying for funding to make contact before making an application.

A full list of successful Secondary School projects can be found below:

Article added: Tuesday 12 April 2022