Sport Hawke’s Bay and a dedicated group of students have delivered an event aimed at inspiring young people in Hawke’s Bay.

With funding support from MYD, Sport Hawke’s Bay wanted to identify students who are not currently involved with sport, students who have dropped out of sport, or students who are not leaders and have not had the opportunity to develop their skills and take ownership of a project. The vision of this group was to empower youth through leadership workshops and mentoring to co design a project.

The project was to be designed by the students for the students. Sport Hawke’s Bay, through the Secondary School Sport Director, Sophie Hickford, supported the students and provided guidance on the process.

Sophie says “We sent out an expression of interest form and didn’t have too much interest. Once we able to talk to a couple of students and encouraged them to seek out others the project took off.”

“The girls involved owned it from the start, they went from not knowing each other to having some great conversations about what would work and how to get the plan into action. I was able to sit back and be a sounding board when needed” Sophie adds.

An initial meeting was held in May and the students worked through options, deciding to hold an event to inspire other students from throughout the region.

Kelsey Stubbs from Napier Girls High School says “It was great to work alongside Sophie and the other girls on the project. From setting expectations of each other to deciding on the event and seeing it come alive, it has been a great experience”

The guest speakers included local athletes Georgia Hulls and Guy Harrison, Australian Rowie McEvoy and Survivor NZ, IronMan and Cancer Society of NZ Ambassador Josh Hickford.

The guests spoke to a captive audience on a wide range of topics including talking about mental health, overcoming injury, adversity in sport, goal setting, how to be a respectful human, life stories, cancer journeys and survivor NZ insights.

“What was great was that at the end of the night, no one wanted to leave. The students hung around the hall and had some great conversations with the guest speakers”

Over 120 students from across the region packed the Napier Boys High School hall with Flaxmere College, Sacred Heart College, Taradale High, William Colenso, Havelock North High School, Hastings Christian School, Taikura Rudolph Steiner, Napier Girls High, Napier Boys High and Iona College students represented.

“There was a great buzz around the room. I’m so happy that it was such a success for the girls involved. The feedback from students, teachers and the presenters has been overwhelming” adds Sophie.

Those students interested in being involved in the 2020 project are encouraged to contact Sophie on sophieh@sporthb.net.nz

Article added: Friday 27 September 2019