The Sport Pathways Framework ensures everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand can enjoy the benefits of sport for life. It has been developed by Sport NZ and High Performance Sport NZ in consultation with the sector to ensure the system works together to provide quality experiences for all New Zealanders by aligning people, programmes and environments.
The Sport Pathways Framework is built around four domains: Foundation, Social, Competitive and Performance, and is based on a number of principles. It is about ensuring everyone can enjoy sport in safe, supportive and inspiring environments that match their motivations or aspirations.
Read more about The Sport Pathways Framework
Good Sports is all about creating positive sporting experiences for children and young people. It does this by supporting and educating parents, caregivers, coaches, teachers and sport leaders, who all contribute to children’s sport.
Both practitioners and researchers supporting Good Sports agree that many issues in youth sport stem from adult involvement. These issues include poor side-line behaviour, overuse injury, burnout and disaffection with sport - and they can hinder success on and off the field.
To address these issues and give children and young people the best chance of developing a lifelong love of sport, Good Sports focuses on raising adults’ awareness about their behaviours in youth sport and, if necessary, promoting a positive shift in that behaviour.
Sport NZ’s 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 New Zealand 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.
Find out how Balance is Better connects with Aktive’s Good Sports through these case studies:
Golf New Zealand case study
Sport Hawke’s Bay case study
Coaches play an important role in sport and recreation, and coaching helps keep people actively involved in developing.
Coaches also have a huge influence on those they work with. Along with parents, teachers and caregivers, they are particularly influential on young people.
Coach development is a core activity in an effective coaching system. Our programmes support you on your journey to unlocking your potential as a coach developer or coach so you can inspire and motivate others to change their lives through physical activity.
Volunteers generously give their time, knowledge, and skills to community sport and recreation, making for a happier, healthier Tāmaki Makaurau.
If you’re interested in volunteering, have a chat with your local sports club or recreation group – we’re sure your support will be hugely appreciated!
Check out these case studies featuring incredible volunteers supporting community sport across our region:
Lynda Hellesoe, Warriors Community Foundation Volunteer
Aleisha Ritchie, Boccia Disability Sport Auckland Volunteer
AJ, Pipi Pathways Surf Skate Volunteer
Tina Thompson, Manurewa Marlins Volunteer
Shoni Marshall-Edwards, StarJam Volunteer
Heremaia Rosieur, Waka Ama Volunteer